‘We thought this trend ended’ – Esther Passaris speaks on bodies retrieved at Kware

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has expressed sorrow and outrage following the discovery of mutilated bodies at Kware near Mukuru kwa Njenga slums.

In a statement on her X account on Saturday, July 13, 2024, Passaris called for the perpetrators of the heinous acts to be held accountable and face the full force of the law.

“Can’t imagine these are human bodies… We thought this trend ended. It is creeping back fast and furious! Perpetrators must be found and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Passaris stated.

Bodies in Mukuru slums

On Friday, July 12, 2024, several decomposing bodies were discovered at a dump site near the Mukuru kwa Njenga slums in Kware.

The Mukuru Community Justice Center reported that more bodies were still being retrieved, with some that were earlier recovered by youths found in sacks and dismembered.

“Bodies being retrieved from a quarry pit opposite Kware police station by youths. The police are on site as more bodies are being retrieved. Other bodies are in sacks chopped into pieces so far six bodies have been retrieved,” the Mukuru Community Justice Center said.

The bodies were transferred to the City Mortuary in Nairobi, and the search for additional bodies continues.

DCI speaks

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said they had begun identifying several bodies found.

In a statement made on Friday, July 12, 2024, DCI boss Mohamed Ibrahim Amin reported that homicide detectives, along with officers from the Forensics Division, are currently analyzing samples to determine the identities of the victims.

“Homicide detectives and officers from the Forensics Division of the DCI are currently analyzing samples to identify the bodies,” Amin stated.

Preliminary investigations by the detectives indicate that the severely mutilated bodies suggest a consistent method of killing.

“The bodies were wrapped in nylon papers and reinforced with nylon ropes. The grim discovery was made at an abandoned quarry, currently filled with water and used as a dump site,” the DCI’s statement explained.

“Preliminary investigations suggest a similar mode of killing for the deceased.”

The detectives further reported that the retrieved bodies have been transported to the government mortuary, where they will undergo postmortem examinations.

“The bodies have been transported to the City Mortuary, where they await postmortem examinations. As we await the findings from the post-mortem and forensic examinations, the DCI appeals to the public to cooperate with the authorities as investigations continue,” the DCI stated.

According to the DCI boss, they responded to an urgent call from members of the public who discovered the severely mutilated bodies.

“Earlier today at approximately 1100hrs, 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 on Friday.