The bodies of two men, found dumped by the road in Soin Ward, Nakuru County, on Sunday, have been identified as Tot residents from Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The families of Collins Kipyatich (22) and Simeon Yego Chacha (45) identified the bodies at the Nakuru City Mortuary. This brought to light a grim story of mysterious disappearances, suspected abductions, and possible extrajudicial killings.
Simon Yego Chacha and Collins Kipyatich who went missing from Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on May 30, 2025. Their mutilated bodies were found dumped in Nakuru County.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
According to Mr Chacha’s brother Wilfred Yego, Kipyatich had visited Tot Health Centre on the morning of May 30 to seek treatment for malaria. While waiting at the hospital’s bay, individuals who identified themselves as police officers allegedly picked him up, forced him into an ambulance and sped off.
Mr Chacha, a businessman in Tot Centre who also operated a Probox as a matatu, had been contracted to ferry goods to the hospital on Friday evening. He was reportedly in a rush to beat the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed in the region due to insecurity.
Before leaving, a woman approached him requesting a ride in the same direction and he agreed.
However, the two were intercepted near Tot Primary School by armed men and bundled into the same ambulance.
The attackers reportedly questioned them about the murder of Catholic priest Fr Allois Cheruiyot Bett of St Mathias Mulumba Parish, who was gunned down by bandits last month. One of the armed men drove Chacha’s car, trailing the ambulance.
According to Mr Yego, the woman later told residents she was released after being interrogated. She claimed the men asked her if she knew anything about the priest's murder.
She said that she was new to the area and had only come to visit family. She was then transferred to an armoured vehicle, which dropped her off at Tot centre.
“She was traumatised. She visited our families and told us what had happened and said the officers asked her about the murder of Father Cheruiyot, but she told them she didn’t know anything. That’s when they let her go,” said Mr Yego.
The families of both victims reported them missing at the Tot Police Station and hoped they would be found alive. Tragically, three days later, they were found dead.
Mr Yego, who spoke to Nation.Africa at the Nakuru County morgue, said the bodies bore signs of torture. Their hands had been chopped off, their legs were tied with ropes, and there were visible injuries on their backs and stomachs as well as strangulation marks on their necks.
“We have heard of extrajudicial killings and now we are victims. These were peaceful people. They had families and no criminal records. We are struggling to understand why this happened,” he said.
Mr Chacha, he added, had previously been a pastoralist. After his livestock were stolen last year, he bought a car and started working in the transport business. His son had also been shot by criminals and was in the ICU for three months. He is currently scheduled for major surgery at Kijabe Hospital.
Bismarck Kimutai, another Tot resident, said they learned on Monday evening that two unidentified bodies had been found in Nakuru County. Based on the descriptions, they travelled to the mortuary where they identified the bodies.
“They’re not related, but they’re from the same location. The government must act. If they had done anything wrong, they should have been taken to court,” said Mr Kimutai.
Mr Chacha’s sister-in-law Mercy Kibor called on security agencies to expedite investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice.
On Sunday, Rongai Sub County Police Commander Cecilia Kemboi confirmed that locals had alerted officers about the bodies. Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations processed the scene and concluded it was likely a secondary crime scene – the men had been killed elsewhere and dumped there.
When contacted, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan called for patience as investigations continue. He dismissed speculation that the killings were directly linked to Fr Cheruiyot’s murder.
“I’m aware of the discovery of mutilated bodies... A serious investigation is ongoing and information will be made public once it is concluded,” Mr Hassan stated.
Meanwhile, Mr Chacha’s car was traced to Babadogo Road in Ruaraka, Nairobi County, where it was found parked.
