A disturbing postmortem report has revealed that two men from Elgeyo Marakwet, who allegedly disappeared after being picked up by police, died from brutal torture and strangulation in what is now being called a possible extrajudicial killing.
The lifeless bodies of Collins Kipyatich, 22, and Simeon Yego Chacha, 45, were discovered dumped along a roadside in Rongai, Nakuru County, just two days after their disappearance on June 1. The grim discovery has sparked outrage among residents and human rights groups across Kenya.
On Thursday, renowned government pathologist Dr. Titus Ngulungu conducted a post-mortem at the Nakuru City Mortuary, with grieving family members and activists watching in disbelief.The results were horrifying.Dr. Ngulungu confirmed that Kipyatich died from manual strangulation, while Chacha succumbed to smothering.
Both bodies showed extensive signs of torture, including mutilation and soft tissue injuries. Most shockingly, their hands had been severed, and there were clear marks around their necks indicating they were strangled using ropes or strings.
“These are clear signs of asphyxia,” stated Dr. Ngulungu. “Toxicology samples have been collected for further analysis.”Relatives of the deceased were overcome with emotion.“The body was in a terrible state.
He was strangled,” said Richard Chebet, a close relative of Kipyatich. “We don’t understand what crime he committed to deserve this. He had just visited Tot Health Centre because he was unwell. He has a wife and a newborn baby.
If they believed he had done wrong, why not arrest and charge him in court?”Chebet claims that after his visit to the clinic, Kipyatich was taken to Tot Police Station, but was never officially booked in. When the family sought answers, they were met with silence.
The silence from authorities has only deepened the suspicion and fury surrounding the case. Rights activists are now calling for a swift, independent investigation into what they believe could be another case of state-sanctioned brutality.
With the shadow of extrajudicial killings growing darker across Kenya, pressure is mounting on law enforcement and government bodies to break their silence and deliver justice.
