Govt intensifies probe into disturbing cannibalism claims in West Pokot
The government has arrested several individuals linked with chilling reports of cannibalism in West Pokot County.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the arrests on Thursday, July 17, 2025, during a visit to the region where he was assessing the state of security ahead of the Jukwaa La Usalama engagement forum.
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Speaking in West Pokot, Murkomen revealed that the suspects are believed to have killed and eaten both children and adults.
“We had some challenges here with some characters who have been arrested. Suspected of having killed young and old people. I’m told they are man-eaters. This is a very sad story,” Murkomen said.
The CS, however, declined to disclose further details, noting that investigations were at an advanced stage.
“I do not want to say much because I don’t want to jeopardise the ongoing investigations. We will do investigations and find out what happened. We will also audit our systems and see how this heinous act happened and for how long it has been going on and how it escaped our security apparatus,” he stated.
Organ trafficking
The arrests follow weeks of rising concern in the region over disturbing reports of human body parts being discovered and suspicions of organ trafficking networks operating in the area.
The shocking case comes barely a month after the government launched a mandatory vetting exercise targeting undocumented foreign nationals residing in West Pokot County. The move was prompted by claims linking some migrants to cannibalism and illegal organ harvesting.
On Tuesday, July 7, 2025, West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdulahi announced that the County Security Committee had ordered immediate vetting of foreigners from Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, and a Ugandan community identified as Wagisu.
“The committee has been directed to vet all aliens from Burundi, Rwanda, Congo and the community of Wagisu who have been suspected to have been involved in this heinous crime of cannibalism and harvesting of organs,” Abdulahi stated during a press briefing in Kapenguria.
Security teams in Kapenguria, Makutano, and Bendera were tasked with identifying the individuals, verifying their identities and intentions, and monitoring their activities.
“We respect the spirit of East African cooperation and the free movement of people. However, all the suspects are from Uganda, from one community of Wagisu, and therefore we are taking these measures to establish their stay here,” he said.
In a further show of force, the County Commissioner ordered the demolition of makeshift structures believed to have been used as hideouts by some of the suspects.
“Today, I have directed that this road reserve be reclaimed, and we are going to flatten all those structures they were living in by close of business today,” Abdulahi declared.
He also disclosed that authorities had foiled a planned protest by youth groups allegedly mobilised to storm Kapenguria Police Station to free the arrested suspects.
“These are public utilities constructed by your taxes. The police station had nothing to do with the crimes committed by these suspects,” he warned.
Abdulahi accused unnamed political leaders of inciting youth and warned that they would face legal consequences.
“They are going to face the full force of the law, and we are going to prosecute them,” he added.
The government has since obtained court orders to detain the suspects for 21 more days to allow for comprehensive investigations.
“We are confident we have sufficient evidence to ensure that they are going to be convicted and they will serve jail sentences,” Abdulahi said.
