Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nakuru are piecing together information to unravel the circumstances surrounding the brutal murder of a security guard at Harambee Khalsa Comprehensive School in Nakuru City.
The body of the guard, identified as Mr Josephat Onyango, was found dumped in one of the school’s classrooms on Thursday morning, bringing learning at the institution to an abrupt halt.
Nakuru East police boss Samson Adanje said DCI detectives have launched investigations into the incident, which caused fear and panic within the school.
“It appears the deceased was attacked while on duty, and later his body was dumped in a classroom. We are treating this as a murder case, and investigations have kicked off.
“After consultations with the school management, we sent learners home since the scene was traumatising. This also allows police to conduct investigations without disruption. It was not wise to have learners around,” said Mr Adanje.
Parents and residents of Kasarani in Nakuru City gathered inside a classroom at Harambee Khalsa Comprehensive School, where the body of the institution’s night guard had been dumped after he was killed by unknown assailants on January 8, 2026. The school was closed indefinitely.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Mr Adanje said students would be allowed back once the scene is cleared and investigations conclude, adding that the school will organise counselling services for affected students and staff to help them cope with the trauma.
The guard’s body bore visible injuries suggesting he was violently attacked before being dragged and dumped inside the classroom.
Detectives are analysing key exhibits to establish who killed the guard and the motive behind the attack. The armed thugs believed to have stormed the school compound on Wednesday night also made away with property worth thousands of shillings.
Investigators are seeking to establish the last people Mr Onyango spoke to and are tracing his mobile phone communications as they pursue the suspects.
A woman stares at a shoe left behind by the night guard of Harambee Khalsa Comprehensive, who was killed by unknown assailants on January 8, 2026 and his body dumped in a classroom. The school was closed indefinitely.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Shock and grief gripped the school community on Thursday morning after learners arriving for early morning preps discovered the body lying in a pool of blood.
According to the school’s Board of Management chairperson, Douglas Bosire, he received a distress call from a member of the support staff early Thursday morning.
“I was informed about the incident by another employee. I rushed to the scene and confirmed that the security guard had been killed by thugs on Wednesday night,” said Mr Bosire.
“We were forced to send learners home as investigative agencies begin their probe. We also discovered that offices had been broken into and property worth thousands of shillings stolen,” he added.
News of the brutal murder sparked panic at the school, with teachers, learners, and non-teaching staff left in deep shock. School administrators immediately suspended learning activities and instructed students to return home.
Detectives spent the better part of Thursday morning at the school collecting evidence they believe will help unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder.
“This is a big shock to the school. On behalf of the board, we send our condolences to the family and the entire school fraternity. Police have taken over the matter and have promised to conduct speedy investigations to apprehend the culprits,” said Mr Bosire.
Dennis Simiyu, the son of the night guard at Harambee Khalsa Comprehensive School, was overwhelmed with emotion when he saw his father's lifeless body. His father was killed by unknown assailants on January 8, 2026. The school was closed indefinitely.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Mr Onyango’s son, Dennis Simiyu, called for justice for his father, saying he had worked as a security guard at the school for more than five years.
He said his father left home for work on Wednesday night after dinner but failed to return on Thursday morning, raising alarm among family members.
“He normally comes back home by 6.30am but on Thursday he did not. I tried calling his phone, but it was switched off.I later received a call from my sister asking me to go to the school. We plead with the police to conduct speedy investigations and arrest those responsible. He was the family’s breadwinner and ensured we all went through school through his hard work,” he added.
Parents and residents of Kasarani in Nakuru City gathered inside a classroom at Harambee Khalsa Comprehensive School, where the body of the institution’s night guard had been dumped after he was killed by unknown assailants on January 8, 2026. The school was closed indefinitely.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
The incident sparked fear and outrage among parents, many of whom raised concerns over the safety of learners.
One parent, Geoffrey Ondara, questioned how attackers managed to gain access to the school and commit the crime unnoticed.
He called on school management and government agencies to urgently review security measures in learning institutions, including deploying more guards, installing surveillance cameras, and strengthening perimeter fencing.
“Schools are supposed to be safe spaces. This is very worrying, especially for young children who were traumatised by what they saw. It is unfortunate that the attackers killed him after jumping the fence,” he said.
