Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man whose body was found dumped in Athi River, Machakos County.
Police carried out an operation on the night of June 19, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
According to police, the five include a county government employee, two bar attendants, a disc jockey and a room attendant.
The suspects are being held at Kyumbi Police Station as investigations into the death of Alphonce Mbune Matee continue.
Police said the arrests mark a significant step in the probe and that detectives hope to make more arrests.
Police said the body of Matee was discovered along Machakos Road in Kyumbi.
Members of the public alerted officers to the body on Wednesday, June 17.
Officers responded to the scene and found the body of an African male, believed to be aged between 45 and 50 years.
The deceased had both hands, legs and neck tied using pieces of clothing. He also had visible injuries on the back of the neck and marks on the back consistent with torture.
Crime scene officers from Machakos processed the scene before the body was moved to Machakos Level 5 Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Police said there were no signs of a struggle at the scene, leading investigators to believe the man may have been murdered elsewhere before his body was dumped at the ranch.
The motive of the killing is yet to be established, police said.
Locals believe the man was killed in a confrontation at the bar where some of the suspects work. However, it is not clear what triggered the alleged confrontation and subsequent killing.
Detectives have since revisited the club where the suspects work as part of the probe.
They also planned to raid the suspects’ houses in search of further evidence.
Police said more suspects were being sought in connection with the murder.
