Missing forest officer found dead

By Kenan Miruka

GUCHA, KENYA: A forestry officer reported missing was found dead and his body dumped in River Gucha in an incident that shocked locals.

Henry Nyabuto Omwange, 43, left his Bokienga village home in Sameta district on Wednesday at 7pm but never returned. His mobile phone went off an hour later.

His wife, Jane Kwamboka reported the matter at Ogembo Police Station and a search for the officer attached to Ogembo Zonal forest office began.

The deceased’s body was spotted at 6pm on Friday. It was trapped by stones in the middle of the river near Ogembo foot bridge.

Hundreds of residents thronged the scene and emotions ran high as friends and relatives viewed the body. The deceased is church elder at a local church.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the deceased was called out of his house by unknown people and that he allegedly called back to tell his son that he was in the company of ‘bad people’ but was not sure whether he could return home safe.

Gucha deputy OCPD Mary Kiarie said the body had no visible injuries and that detectives were investigating the matter. The body was retrieved and moved to Hema Hospital mortuary in Kisii town pending autopsy.

“We are yet to establish the motive of the murder although there are claims that the deceased had accumulated some debts. Our detectives will visit the home and interrogate family members for leads that could help with investigations,” said Kiarie.