The National Police Service (NPS) has issued additional information regarding the discovery of the body of Justus Mutumwa, who was reported missing in December 2024.
In a statement on Thursday, January 30, the police sought to correct what it termed as 'misinformation' circulating in the media.
NPS stated that on December 18, 2024, at around 2:00 PM, police were alerted about a body floating in the Nairobi River in the Ruai area.
The agency explained that a woman who was irrigating her vegetables along the river made the discovery and subsequently alerted the authorities.
"It is notified to the general public that contrary to reports circulating in both mainstream and social media, the facts surrounding the tragic discovery of the body of the late Justus Mutumwa today are inaccurate.
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"On the 18th of December 2024, at around 1400 hours, police were alerted of a body that was floating along Nairobi River, Ruai area, some 4 kilometres North of the station – by a lady who was irrigating her vegetables along the said river," the statement read.
NPS noted that the bruises and general state of the body prompted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Ruai to institute a murder investigation.
The agency added that unaware of the Ruai incident, Mutumwa’s family filed a missing person’s report at Athi River Police Station on December 21, 2024, indicating that he had been missing since December 17, 2024.
NPS confirmed that Mutumwa's body remained unidentified until forensic investigations established that it was his.
"The family of the late Mutumwa, oblivious to the Ruai incident, made a report of their missing kin at Athi River police station on 21/12/2024 (OB reference No. 23) alleging he had been missing since 17/12/2024.
"Meanwhile, the body remained unknown until yesterday when forensic investigations led by the relevant department was able to point out it was indeed that of the missing Justus Mutumwa," the statement added.
DCI is currently investigating the matter. Mutumwa's body was found on Thursday at City Mortuary and positively identified by his family.
Speaking to the press, lawyer Dan Maanzo said Mutumwa's body was discovered in Ruai before it was moved to the City Mortuary.
"There are two bodies. One has not yet been identified. The body of the first petitioner (Justus Mutumwa), which was originally found in Ruai, has been identified by his family. The family was called to the City Mortuary and identified the body. They have checked the fingerprints and confirmed it is him.
"He disappeared on December 12, 2024, when the others disappeared and the family began searching for him. According to the information the family was given at City Mortuary, the body was brought to the facility a few days ago," he said.
The body of Martin Mwau who went missing alongside Mutumwa was also found at City Mortuary soon after the discovery of Mutumwa's body.
