Police Heighten Surveillance Along River Yala Following Recovery Of 20 Unidentified Bodies

SIAYA,Kenya, Jan, 19 – Shocking news that 20 unidentified bodies were recovered from River Yala recently continues to raise concerns over alleged extra judicial killings in the country, with human rights groups calling on the government to unravel the mystery and provide answers to the horrific incidents.

A site visit by Haki Africa at the Yala Sub-County hospital showed that at least 20 unidentified bodies were recovered,with most of them bearing marks of torture. Others had both hands tied with a rope.

“How come this is happening in an area that has a police station?” Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid posed during a briefing to journalists. “How come these vehicles that are dumping bodies have never been confiscated?”

During a visit to the river on Monday, the Haki Africa boss while in the company of human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, found two bodies floating in the river.

Citing testimonials from locals, two cars have in the past been spotted dumping the bodies in the river, at the wee hours of the night.

County police commander Michael Muchiri now says that Police in Siaya have up-scaled surveillance along river Yala in a bid to curb the worrying phenomenon.

A contingent of police officers has since been deployed to Ndanu falls and its environs with investigative officers pursuing those suspected to have committed the horrific acts.

“We are liaising with our counterparts from the neighbouring Kakamega, Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties to also be on the lookout along river Yala tributaries,: said muchiri.

Residents have raised concerns over the recent incidents calling for more action from the government.

According to some residents, a total of 31 bodies have been recovered along the river. with some taking part in recovery efforts.

Amnesty International Kenya has joined the calls for investigations, amidst multiple cases of enforced disappearances in the country.

In 2021, Haki Africa documented more than 40 cases of enforced disappearances in the country. The victims are believed to have either been killed or mysteriously disappeared after they were forcefully taken by suspected security agencies.

The Coast region registered the highest number with 29 cases of enforced disappearances.

This year alone, the lobby group said it has documented 8.