Forensic detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kitui County have launched investigations after uncovering four bodies in a suspected mass grave in an operation that has heightened concern over a possible series of killings in the area.

According to police reports made on Tuesday, June 10, 2026, through Mwingi Sub-county commander Anthony Maina, the police acted on information from a member of the public who discovered an unusual occurrence at the scene and made reports that led to the uncovering of the mass grave.

The sub-county commander called on the members of the public to take bold steps in reporting such matters to the police, assuring them of their safety.

“Mwananchi tu akafika hapa na akaona kuna kitu haiendi sawa sawa na akapiga taarifa. “Ukion kitu suspicious, piga ripoti; hiyo mambo ya kusema ati ukiona kitu junakuwa mshukiwa hito ilikwisha,” Maina said.

Following the recovery of a dismembered body in the area on Monday, June 8, 2026, police were prompted to launch a wider search operation and deploy forensic teams to the site in Mwingi town.

Police have urged anyone with a missing relative to report to Mwingi Central Police Sub-County headquarters to assist with identification.

“All the bodies are naked and have been buried in separate graves. If anyone has a missing relative, please report to the police,” Maina added.

Residents in high tension

Following the incident, tension has remained high in the area. The discovery has sparked fears of a serial killer or a criminal syndicate operating in the area.

The latest discovery comes barely a month after two other mutilated bodies, belonging to a man and a woman, were found in the same area. The woman’s head was missing.

Residents say police are yet to identify the previous victims, fuelling fears that the killings could be taking place elsewhere before the bodies are dumped in Mwingi.

“There are bodies of people who have been killed and dumped here in our town. It is like people are being murdered elsewhere and their bodies brought here,” a resident said.

Call for swift probe

Kitui Woman Representative Irene Kasalu said the repeated discoveries were alarming and called for swift investigations.

“There is a body there and there are other spots where we do not know whether there are more bodies buried. In the last four weeks, this is the fourth body to be recovered here. These are very disturbing incidents,” Kasalu said.

“Just the other day, we lost a young woman, and we still do not know what happened. Apart from the female body that we know about, the other bodies are yet to be identified,” she added.

The four bodies were moved to the Mwingi General Hospital mortuary, awaiting identification and postmortem examinations as police launch a probe into the circumstances in which they died and were buried in the area.