Man found in county office water tank ‘was killed and body dumped in the container’

A middle-aged man whose body was found in a water tank on Tuesday in Machakos had been killed and the body dumped in the reservoir, Machakos County Emergency Services lead officer, Francis Nzioki, says.

“The body had bruises in the neck, indicating he struggled to fight off his aggressors before being overpowered and subsequently killed,” Nzioki told K24 Digital.

“Chances are high that the man was killed elsewhere and his body dumped in the tank, given no one in the neighbourhood identified him,” added Nzioki.

According to police, the man’s body had decomposed, indicating it had been immersed in the tank for a significant period, possibly four days.

The deceased was retrieved from a tank used to store treated water at the Machakos County Children Office, which is located a few meters from Machakos Police Station.

Stephen Manthi, a cleaner at the office, noticed houseflies flocking the upper opening of the tank, and upon using a ladder to access the tank top, he was shocked to see a naked body of a middle-aged man floating on water in the filled reservoir.

Water stored in the tank is usually used for cooking and drinking purposes.

The deceased was removed from the tank and taken to Machakos Level 5 Hospital morgue pending investigations into his death.

Machakos County Criminal Investigation Officer (CCIO), Charles Mutua, confirmed the incident to K24 Digital.