Foul smell leads to discovery of decomposed body of 64-year-old in Bungoma home

Detectives in Bungoma Central are investigating the death of a 64-year-old man whose partially decomposed body was discovered inside his house in the Kuywa area.

The body of Gilbert Machio Khamala was found on Tuesday morning in his one-room semi-permanent house.

Police officers who visited the scene found the deceased lying on a mattress. Officers noted that the legs were inside a sisal bag, although no visible injuries or unusual marks were immediately observed on the body.

Residents told investigators that a neighbour became concerned after noticing a foul smell coming from the house while passing nearby.

She reportedly peeped through a window and saw the body before alerting other neighbours, who forced the door open.

The neighbour further told police that Khamala, who had been living alone after separating from his wife several years ago, was last seen at his home on the evening of May 20.

Police said the cause of death could not immediately be established due to the state of decomposition.

The scene was processed and documented before the body was moved to the Kimilili Sub-County Hospital mortuary, awaiting an autopsy.

In a separate incident, police in Kenyenya, Kisii County, launched investigations into the death of a 45-year-old man whose body was found inside a water-filled trench at Mogonga Market.

Police officers who visited the scene at Mogonga Sub-Location found the body of Meshack Ondieki Otiso lying inside the trench with his head submerged in water.

Investigators established that the deceased was an employee at Nyabisia Secondary School.

According to a colleague, Otiso had left the school on Monday evening at around 7 pm but did not return.

Police observed bruises on the deceased’s forehead, which investigators believe may have been sustained after he fell into the trench.

The body was moved to the Gucha Sub-County Hospital mortuary for preservation and postmortem examination.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Meanwhile, a man died after he was allegedly struck on the head with a stone during an altercation outside a bar in Gatundu Township.

Police said the incident was reported after the victim, identified as 34-year-old Stanley Kimani Njoroge, died while undergoing treatment at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital.

According to investigators, the assault occurred on the night of May 19, 2026, at around 9 pm outside Ciamurugu Bar in Gatundu Township following an altercation.

Witnesses, including nearby business owners and the deceased’s cousin, Samuel Muria Kahuya, told police that the victim was struck on the head with a stone by a suspect who remains at large.

Officers from the local police station and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Gatundu South visited the scene and found blood stains at the location where the incident is reported to have occurred.

Police established that the deceased had initially reported the assault before seeking treatment at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital. He was later referred to St Jude Hospital, where he spent the night before being taken to Thika for a head scan and imaging.

He was later returned to Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment.

The body was moved to the hospital mortuary, awaiting a postmortem examination as police launched a search for the suspect.