A postmortem examination on the remains of Nairobi-based freelance photojournalist and videographer Joseph Owino, alias Myles, has revealed that he died from strangulation.
Owino was killed, and his body was dumped in Lakeview along the Naivasha–Mai Mahiu Road on March 3, 2026, according to police.
This comes as Emmanuel Epuru, the Nakuru County Police Commander, said no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but detectives are following crucial leads in the case.
A postmortem report released by pathologists and the family over the weekend indicated that the victim died from asphyxia, a condition in which the body is deprived of oxygen, making it difficult or impossible to breathe.
Government pathologist Titus Ngulungu, who conducted the autopsy at the Naivasha Sub-County Mortuary, noted in his report that Owino died due to manual strangulation caused by pressure to the mouth and nose.
Dr Ngulungu further noted that additional examination revealed the deceased’s body had missing neck structures.
“As a result of my examination, I have formed the opinion that the cause of death was asphyxia with blood loss. We have collected samples for further examination, particularly DNA analysis,” read part of the report released in the presence of the victim’s family members.
Owino’s body was discovered by members of the public in an open field with multiple injuries on the neck, head, and parts of the face that appeared to have been caused by a sharp object.
The deceased’s elder brother, Robert Joni, urged detectives to conduct a speedy investigation into the murder and arrest those responsible so that the family can obtain justice.
Police have informed the family that some witnesses have already recorded statements with detectives at Naivasha Police Station.
“As a family we are content with the postmortem results and leave everything to the police to conduct a thorough investigation,” Robert said.
In an earlier interview, he said his brother was a freelance photographer and videographer based in Nairobi and had been working independently for more than four years.
Investigators told the family that before his death, Owino had travelled to Naivasha for an event during the day. Later that night, he was reportedly seen in a car with another person. The vehicle that had been trailing them later emerged and blocked their car, after which two masked men got out.
The masked men reportedly confronted the videographer, pulled him out of the car, assaulted him and bundled him into their vehicle. His body was later found dumped by the roadside.
The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, has recorded a statement with police in Naivasha on the circumstances leading to the videographer’s murder.
Owino’s friends told the family that he had travelled to Naivasha for an event with the woman a day before the murder.
Cases of insecurity and murder have reportedly been on the rise in Naivasha, which has also recorded high levels of unemployment following the collapse of several flower farms that were a major source of jobs for residents.
