This archive report was first published on 27 June 2021.
On June 26, 2021, a gruesome discovery was made in Charuru village, Tigania East, Meru County, when a severed head was found in a maize farm.
The head was discovered by a woman, Ms Peninah Karimi, 35, who was collecting firewood in the farm. She alerted the police after making the gruesome discovery.
Ms Karimi described the scene, saying that both eyes were gouged out and part of the face was burnt by a suspected corrosive substance.
The head was believed to have been tossed into the farm by a person traveling on Muriri-Michimikuru road, where it went undetected for days.
A bloody pair of bluish denim trousers, a shirt, and one shoe were found near the road, which police believe belonged to the victim.
Police sources say the nature of the cut in the neck suggests use of a grinder or power saw and that the perpetrators are 'ruthless killers'.
The discovery comes just two weeks after a man's naked, headless body was found in a thicket at Mati Anduui village in Lailuba, about 17km from Charuru.
Residents going to fetch water from Buathumara and Kiale rivers on June 11 followed a trail with seemingly fresh blood, which led them to the remains.
It appeared the body had been dragged for a long distance.
Both the head and the headless body were taken to Meru level Five hospital for DNA analysis.
Residents believe the two incidents are related and that the killing actually happened in Mati Anduui.
The area is known to be a fighting ground for rival herders and cattle rustlers who profiteer from the criminal enterprise.
