How a neighbour’s dog led to discovery of 4 slain family members in Kathiani
By David Nthua, July 6, 2026The Kiswahili saying “Ukistaajabu ya Musa, utaona ya Firauni” appears to have come to life in Kaseveni village, Kathiani Constituency, Machakos County.
This is after a neighbour’s dog helped security agencies uncover one of the most horrific murder scenes in the area after returning home carrying what residents initially believed was a cow’s leg.
According to a local TV station on Sunday, July 6, 2026, the dog had wandered into a nearby thicket before returning with what later turned out to be a human leg, prompting residents to follow its trail.
The search led to the discovery of the bodies of a 28-year-old woman, her two children, and her unborn baby. Reports indicate the woman was about seven months pregnant.
Police are investigating the killings, with a 23-year-old man identified as a person of interest.
According to information shared by residents, the person of interest had married the 28-year-old woman and had recently been allowed to stay with the woman’s two children, who were not his biological children. The bodies were discovered on June 15, 2026.
Kathiani Sub-County police commander George Kashmir said the bodies were separately discovered by the public at Wandathe village within Kathiani Sub-County on Sunday evening. They reported the same to the Kathiani police station.
Residents suspect that the bodies could be a result of mass killings by unknown assailants.
“It was reported to the station by a resident that a child’s leg had been discovered in the village. The reportee said the minor could be between six and eight years old. The man told the officers that his dogs had found and were eating the said leg at his home,” Kashmir told
Dog leads villagers
Benjamin Kikuvi, the owner of the dog, recounted the moment that changed everything.
“Wakati tulienda kukata kata nyasi, tulirudi tena tukapatana na mbwa akiwa ameshika mguu wa mtoto. Nilikuwa naona ni mguu ya ng’ombe, kumbe ni mguu wa mtoto. Unajua huyu mbwa, akienda kwa kichaka kuwinda, chenye anapata analetea mtoto,” Kikuvi said.
Village elder Simon Mbuvi described the crime scene as horrifying, saying some of the bodies appeared to have been exposed to acid.
Another village elder, Elder Mbuvi, also described the incident as one of the most disturbing the village had witnessed.
Resident Benson Mutinda further said some of the victims’ private parts had been cut.
Family recounts
The person of interest’s sister, Annastazia Wambua, narrated how she persuaded her brother to report to Kathiani Police Station after their mother was arrested to assist investigators.
“Sasa on Thursday, Mama alishikwa usiku. Hiyo usiku ndio nilimuuliza hiyo maneno. On Friday nilimuacha akaenda. After job nikamuuliza tena, uko sure ndugu yangu hii maneno si ya ukweli?’ Akasema yeye hajui hii maneno.
“Nikamuuliza kama unajua kama hausiki na hizi maneno, ni vizuri twende Kathiani Police Station kwa sababu mama ameshikwa, ili tusipate laana; twende tuokolee mama, atoke mahali pale,” Annastazia said.
The person of interest’s father, Ezekiel Wambua, also described his conversation with his wife after learning she had been taken into police custody.
“Wakati napigia mama anielezee hii kitu, mama ananiambia, huyu mtoto wake mdogo alimwambia ni kama hawa watu wameenda kwao. Kwa hivyo kutoka hapo, yeye hajui. Nikamuuliza kwa nini yeye hakupiga simu,” Wambua said.
Police have not yet disclosed the motive behind the killings as investigations continue into the deaths that have left Kaseveni village in shock.