A decomposing body of a Police Constable who went missing two weeks ago has been found in a thicket in Chesuman, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Constable John Kigo Gathoni went missing on June 5, 2022. Following the mysterious disappearance, the officer was under probe for allegedly absconding duty.
But in a sad turn of events, the officer’s body was recently discovered by pupils from Chesuman Primary school, about 5 kilometres from his place of work.
“Senior officers proceeded to the scene and confirmed that the lifeless body was of Constable John Kigo Gathoni who had absented himself from duty on June 5,” Marakwet West police commander Bosita Omukongolo said.
Police describe body
The police boss said the body had no visible injuries but they suspect the officer was strangled to death.
“The body which is highly decomposed did not have any visible injuries but signs indicate he might have met his death due to strangulation. The motive of the killing is yet to be established,” police added.
The body was transferred to Iten Hospital mortuary pending autopsy.
According to the National Police Service Act, any officer who absents himself from duty without an acceptable reason for 10 days is deemed to have deserted from the service and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
“Upon reasonable suspicion that any person has deserted from the force, any police officer may arrest him without warrant, and shall thereupon take him before a magistrate having jurisdiction in the area in which such person deserted or was arrested,” reads Section 94 (2) of the NPS Act.
