
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has revealed that John Muchiri Muthoni, a 27-year-old man whose naked body was discovered abandoned along a road in the Milimani Kawaida area of Banana Hill, Kiambu County, fell victim to mob justice.
According to the DCI, John was last seen on Friday, January 3, at 3 p.m., before his mysterious disappearance. On Saturday morning, his girlfriend received a phone call directing her to the location of his body. Upon arrival, she found John’s naked body bearing signs of injury. While some members of the public likened his disappearance and death to recent abductions of government critics, the DCI clarified that John’s death was linked to an alleged burglary attempt.
The DCI stated that before his death, John and several accomplices had scaled the perimeter wall of a nearby rental property intending to steal. Residents reportedly raised the alarm, forcing the group to flee. John was caught by the crowd approximately 20 meters from the property and subjected to mob justice. The investigative agency added that the residents of the property had previously experienced a string of burglaries.
“Initially, this case was classified as an abduction. However, subsequent investigations clarified the circumstances,” the DCI said in a statement, without specifying when the alleged events took place.
A post-mortem examination of John’s body, which is currently at the Kihara Sub-County Hospital mortuary, was initially scheduled for Monday but had not been conducted as of the DCI’s 2 p.m. statement that day.
Missing Persons Updates
On Monday, families of four men abducted in December—allegedly for their critical social media posts about President William Ruto and his administration—confirmed their release. The individuals include Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Rony Kiplangat. However, the whereabouts of cartoonist Kibet Bull remain unknown. His family reported only hearing from his brother, Rony Kiplangat, who had also been missing before Kibet’s disappearance. Another individual, Steve Mbisi, also remains unaccounted for.
Death of Ibrahim Mwiti
The DCI’s statement on John Muchiri’s death follows a report by the National Police Service (NPS) regarding another case. Ibrahim Mwiti, 24, was reported missing on November 15. His body was later found at Thika Level 5 Hospital mortuary on January 2. The NPS stated Mwiti died in a hit-and-run accident along the Thika Superhighway and dismissed allegations that he was an activist.
