The body of a Kenyan police officer who went missing a week ago was found late Saturday in a thicket on the coastal island of Lamu, with his head and hand chopped off. Investigations have been launched to establish the cause of his death.
Police Constable Hesbon Anunda went missing on October 2 from Kizingitini Police Station. His G3 rifle, which had 60 bullets however was missing when the body was found.
Government officials said more than 40 police officers have died in the line of duty this year.
Hilary Mutyambai, Inspector-General of Police, said the government has put in place elaborate measures to curb deaths of security personnel on the job.
“We have prioritized safety measures for our police officers while on duty amid threats like terrorism, violent crime and banditry,” said Mutyambai.
He said that Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants continue to pose grave security threats in the northeastern and the coastal region, adding that human trafficking has emerged as a threat to Kenya’s public security.
