Chaos Erupt at Mukuru kwa Njenga as More Bodies Discovered

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Locals in Mukuru kwa Njenga found more bodies in an abandoned quarry, leading to a tense standoff with police.
• Authorities promised a swift investigation as public outrage grew over the handling of the situation.

Chaos erupted in the Mukuru kwa Njenga slums on Sunday when locals retrieved two more bodies from an abandoned quarry, adding to the growing number of bodies already found there. 

The discovery intensified the tension and frustration among residents, leading to a standoff with police. 

Volunteers, who had been leading the search, accused the authorities of under-reporting the number of bodies.

Acting Inspector General Douglas Kanja and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had earlier reported nine bodies recovered, but human rights organizations, media houses, and eyewitnesses present at the scene placed the figure at fourteen as of Saturday. 

The bodies, all of which were of females aged between 18-30 years, were found with similar signs of mutilation, raising alarm among the residents and authorities alike.

During the confrontation, police struggled to control the irate crowd, who had camped at the scene and lit bonfires in protest. 

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The situation escalated when the police fired into the air to disperse the crowd. At least two individuals, Abel Muli and Cynthia Khisa, were injured in the chaos—Muli by a live bullet and Khisa by a teargas canister. Both were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment amid growing public outrage.

Check out this video by Citizen TV.

Chaos as locals retrieve two more bodies from Kware dumpsite pic.twitter.com/5bTMAJkzUi

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 14, 2024

The incident sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many criticizing the police for their approach. 

Some netizens argued that instead of disrupting the efforts of the volunteers, the police should have joined them in searching for more bodies. 

Others questioned the intent behind the police’s actions, suggesting that the authorities might be attempting to downplay the severity of the situation.

Calls for a thorough and transparent investigation grew louder, with residents and online commentators urging the authorities to ensure all bodies are retrieved and an accurate count provided. 

The DCI’s earlier revelation about the consistent age range and gender of the victims, coupled with the similar manner in which the bodies were packaged and dumped, led to speculation about the nature of the killings. 

DCI boss Mohammed Amin raised the possibility of a cult, serial killers, or rogue medical practitioners being involved.

In response to the public outcry, the authorities have promised expedited investigations, committing to concluding their inquiries within the next 21 days.