Raila speaks on recovery of mutilated bodies in Mukuru

By Peter Ochieng

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga has expressed his pain and sorrow a day after recovery of 6 mutilated bodies in Nairobi.

The 6 female bodies were discovered at an abandoned quarry, currently used as a dump site in Kware, Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums in Nairobi. The bodies were carefully wrapped in polythene bags.

Odinga in a statement on X (formerly twitter) said perpetrators of the killings must be held accountable at whatever cost.

“It’s a sad and dark moment for Kenya, what we have witnessed in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, pains me deeply. To the families who have lost loved ones, accept my deepest condolences. The perpetrators of these and other heinous acts must face the full force of the law immediately,” said the former Prime Minister.

“The people of Kenya demand accountability,” he added.

Odinga’s statement came even as the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) condemned the killing of the 6 women. FIDA chairperson Christine Kungu said the discovery of the 6 bodies is part of a pattern of escalating violence against women in Kenya.

“The discovery of these bodies is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of violence against women that has been escalating in our country. This incident is unacceptable. Women and girls in Kenya must be assured and guaranteed of their protection and safety,” she noted.

The recovery was aided by one woman who told neighbours that she was directed in a dream to search for the body of her missing sister at the abandoned quarry.

According to Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin, the bodies were severely mutilated and were in various stages of decomposition.

"The Embakasi Division Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) responded to an urgent call from the public in the Villa area of Mukuru Kwa Njenga. The alarm was raised following the discovery of six severely mutilated bodies, all female, in various stages of decomposition," he said.

The bodies were moved to the City Mortuary, awaiting postmortem. "Homicide detectives and officers from the Forensics Division of the DCI are currently analysing samples to identify the bodies," added Amin.

He urged Kenyans to cooperate with the authorities as investigations continue, as police seek to unravel the motive behind the killings.