West pokot: Thirteen suspects have been arrested following reports of alleged cannibalism in West Pokot County. Area County Commissioner Abudullai Khalif said in a press statement that six of the suspects have reportedly confessed to abducting and killing juveniles for purposes of organ harvesting and cannibalism after intense investigations by security agencies.
According to Kenya News Agency, authorities revealed that there are currently eight reported missing persons, three adults and five children, with additional cases suspected but not yet officially reported. The issue came to light following a report filed on June 11, 2025, at Kapenguria Police Station by Diana Cherop, whose son, Brighton Kibet, had gone missing. On July 1st, the mutilated body of the child was found in a maize plantation near the homestead of initial suspects. A postmortem confirmed the body to be Brighton's, and the remains were released to the family for burial.
Tension escalated on Sunday evening when angry residents barricaded the Kitale-Kapenguria highway, blocking commuters plying the route as they demonstrated for their voices to be heard by the authorities. The protests turned violent as residents engaged the police in running battles when they tried opening up the roads whereby tear gas, gunshots, and stones were exchanged, reflecting the tense and chaotic situation.
To avoid further unrest, the suspects were transferred to Kitale Police Station, then arraigned in court on Monday where the magistrate granted a 21-day remand period for investigations to continue, and the suspects are now being held at Kitale Remand Prison. County Commissioner Khalif condemned the incitement of residents by political leaders and warned of strict action against anyone attempting to interfere with the judicial process. He confirmed that the prime suspects resided in illegal settlements in the Bendera area, adding all such structures built on public land will be demolished, with the land reclaimed by the government.
The County Security Committee has further resolved to vet all foreign nationals from neighbouring countries, especially those residing in Kapenguria, Makutano, and Bendera, to establish their legal status and activities. While reaffirming Kenya's commitment to the spirit of East African cooperation and freedom of movement, Commissioner Khalif emphasized that security must come first. He also confirmed that 18 Eritrean nationals nabbed last week along the Kenya-Uganda border at Amakuriat village in Alale will be charged for being in the country without proper documentation.
The County Commissioner also warned the irate youth who were planning to attack the police station to desist from the idea of engaging in violence and keep calm as the matter has now taken the due process of the law. The residents have been urged to maintain peace and keep vigilance on activities going on among their communities. They have been assured of their safety as investigations are ongoing and that justice will prevail on the scary unprecedented occurrences in the recent past.