House team probes Kinale killings

By Cyrus Ombati

The Parliamentary Departmental Committee on National Security and Administration is investigating the killing of six men in Kinale Forest.

Yesterday, the committee visited the scene where six bodies were found in September and promised a report in a week’s time.

The team had earlier met locals and the district security committee and listened to testimonies on the discovery of the bodies.

Those who talked raised concern over security of the forest and dumping of bodies.

Police assured that investigations into the issue were still ongoing.

The bodies which were found in Kinale and Kimende areas bore signs that they had been killed in a similar manner. Those who saw them said some had gunshot wounds, while others had wounds from blunt objects.

Rising insecurity

Committee Chairman Fred Kapondi said they will compile their report with recommendations and findings after they finish their work.

"Indications are that the bodies were brought from outside and dumped here. Locals have complained that the forest is a security threat to them," said Mr Kapondi.

He said they would talk to victims’ relatives over the issue. The committee was ordered by the deputy House Speaker Farah Maalim to investigate the matter after area MP David Njuguna raised alarm over the killings.

Journalists were locked out of the session at the Lari district headquarters as testimonies from witnesses were being given.

Kapondi said locals had complained to the committee that the forest has been a hiding place for criminals in the last eight years and several people had died there.

"We do not know if it is the work of an organised gang unknown to us or police. A team of detectives is on the ground," he said.