Police probe death of US researcher found in Lodwar rental house

Crime Scene. [Courtesy]

Police in Lodwar have launched investigations following the discovery of the body of an American national in a rented house in Nakwamekwi village, Turkana Central Sub-county.

Turkana Central Deputy Police Commander Evans Ombui said the body was found on June 7 at around 3:34 pm in a residence approximately three kilometres from Lodwar's central business district.

The discovery was made after a resident reported a foul smell coming from one of the houses in the neighbourhood.

Police officers, accompanied by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), responded and visited the scene and found the door to the house unlocked.

Upon entry, the officers discovered the body of an adult male lying on a mattress on the floor, facing upwards. There were no visible signs of physical injury, but the body had already started decomposing," said Ombui.

The deceased was identified as Williams Nate Zaire, a 34-year-old Black American citizen who is believed to have been in Turkana on a research mission.

Authorities have not disclosed the nature of his work.

The scene was processed and documented by forensic officers before the body was transferred to the Lodwar County Referral Hospital mortuary.

Commander Ombui noted that a post-mortem examination will be conducted once relatives of the deceased arrive in the country.

"We are currently awaiting the arrival of next of kin before proceeding with the autopsy," he said.

Police say they have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding Zaire's death.