Police Probe Death of Herdsman as Crowd Blocks Body Retrieval in Migori

NAIROBI, Kenya - Police have opened an investigation into the death of 28-year-old herdsman Thomas Weisiko Sando, whose body was discovered next to the Renyamabairege River in Kuria West, Migori County. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening following a dispute over a herd of cattle that allegedly entered a farm belonging to Mwikwabe Nyangi Nchama, destroying maize crops. A resident and the assistant chief of Ikerege Sub-location reported the incident to police, who responded promptly.

Upon arrival at the farm, police from Kehancha and the DCI Kuria West branch documented the body and began investigating the circumstances of the death. It was reported that the cattle involved in the dispute were linked to the deceased. However, tensions quickly escalated as an estimated 200 people, armed with bows, poisoned arrows, machetes, and other weapons, gathered at the scene.

The crowd blocked officers from retrieving the body, demanding that the entire herd be returned to the deceased's family before the body could be taken away.

Police, supported by local National Government Administration (NGAO) officers, reached an agreement with some of the crowd's members to facilitate the handover of the cattle. However, the deceased's family disputed the number of cattle held by police, claiming there were 20 rather than the reported 14. The family insisted on the return of the extra six cattle and refused to allow the body to be retrieved until the disagreement was resolved.

Police decided to withdraw from the scene to allow for further dialogue and prevent the situation from deteriorating further. The body remained where it was found, pending further police intervention and collection. Police investigations into Sando's death and the cattle dispute are ongoing.