Kanja’s office and the DCI were directed to thoroughly investigate the recovery of the bodies and file the probe report with his office within 21 days to facilitate further action.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Mulele Ingonga has directed the police bodies including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Police Service (NPS) to expedite investigations into the discovery of 10 bodies, all identified as female so far, found in a quarry pit opposite Kware Police Station in Mukuru kwa Njenga.
In a press statement released on Friday evening, July 12, DPP Ingonga gave the Acting Police Inspector General (IG) Douglas Kanja Kirocho the first significant task since taking over from Japhet Koome who resigned earlier on Friday.
Kanja’s office and the DCI were directed to thoroughly investigate the recovery of the bodies and file the probe report with his office within 21 days to facilitate further action.
“Pursuant to Article 157 (4) of the Constitution, the DPP has directed the Office of the Inspector-General of the National Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation and forward the resultant file for perusal within twenty-one (21) days,” read the statement in part.
Collage of bodies retrieved at Kware on July 12, 2024 /MUKURU COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTRE
Ingonga explained that the action was taken upon learning of reports in the social and mainstream media including on the Mukuru Community Justice Centre’s X handle of the discovery of human bodies at the Kware dumpsite near Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi.
The centre became the first official channel to share preliminary details on the shocking discovery which sparked nationwide uproar, with the lack of further information leading to rumours flying around on the circumstances leading to the discovery.
Scores of netizens claimed that the alleged Githurai massacre may have occurred and kept under wraps. Viral Tea has yet to independently ascertain the credibility and accuracy of the claims.
With various media reports initially citing nine dead before the number climbed to 10, the DPP added that it “is deeply concerned about these reports which point to a grave violation of Human Rights, considering that the said dumpsite is only a few metres from a police station.”
The dump site is located at Kware near Mukuru kwa Njenga in Imara Daima. The DCI had reported that six bodies were recovered, with locals retrieving them wrapped in nylon sacks and reinforced with ropes. The grim discovery was made at an abandoned quarry, currently filled with water and used as a dump site.
Furthermore, preliminary investigations as reported by DCI suggest a similar mode of killing for the deceased, hinting at a mass femicide that was carried out before the bodies were dumped in the river.
The six bodies, all female and in various stages of decomposition, were recovered at the dumpsite which is reportedly located just a stone-throw away from Kware Police Station, which could be a point of interest as investigations kick in.
With some Kenyans claiming that the killings are linked to the abductions that occurred during the anti-Finance Bill protests, the fact that some of the bodies were found dismembered adds to the mystery and complexity of the case.
Meanwhile, the DPP called upon relevant agencies including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) and the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) to expedite investigations on all reports of enforced disappearance and deaths allegedly committed by police officers and consistently submit reports to the ODPP for review after every seven (7) days.
“The Civil Society Organizations and any person with information that may aid the investigative authorities in these cases are urged to cooperate with the government to help bring perpetrators to justice. This office shall also work tirelessly with relevant government agencies to address the concerns of witnesses including their safety,” added the statement.
Police officers on horses during Finance Bill protests in Nairobi. /UZALENDO NEWS