Athi River police station, where postmortem- fingerprinting in Machakos county on December 8, 2025.Police in Athi River, Machakos County, are investigating the death of a man found by the roadside.
Athi River Subcounty Criminal Investigations Officer Michael Boiyo said the body of an unknown adult male was discovered by passers-by lying along the roadside in the Noonkopir area, Athi River North location, on Monday.
Boiyo said a resident reported the matter to Athi River Police Station around midday, shortly after the body was found.
He added that the deceased had visible injuries, suggesting he may have been murdered, and that the body had been left at the scene.
"It looks like murder. We are, however, investigating the incident and cannot make a conclusion at this stage," Boiyo told The Star at his office in Athi River.
The body was taken to the police station for postmortem fingerprinting. Postmortem fingerprinting is a forensic procedure where fingerprints are taken from a deceased person to help identify them, particularly when their identity is unknown. Specialised techniques are often used, and the prints are compared against existing databases.
Police later moved the body to Machakos Level 5 Hospital mortuary, awaiting a full postmortem.
Boiyo said no identification documents were found with the deceased and that investigations have been launched to establish his identity, the cause of death, the perpetrators if foul play is confirmed, and the motive.
He cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands and urged residents to report suspected criminals to police. "As security agencies in the area, we will ensure that criminals do not have field days terrorising innocent Kenyans," he said.
The incident follows another death in Athi River on December 7, 2025, when a man was shot by suspected thugs after attempting to block a gang that had robbed two M-Pesa operators at Njuguini Estate.
One man died on the spot, while another was seriously injured and treated at Shalom Community Hospital. Police have launched a manhunt.
