The deceased, Meshack Mainye Miyaki, was reported missing by his family on October 27, 2025, after failing to show up at work and switching off his phone.
For days, relatives and neighbours mounted a desperate search across villages, hoping to find him alive.
However, their worst fears were confirmed on Wednesday morning when a fresh grave was discovered behind his house, exposing what police now describe as a gruesome murder and cover-up.
Grim Discovery in the Backyard
According to family members, the discovery was purely accidental.
“We noticed some disturbed soil near the edge of the compound. When we scratched a little, we saw part of a hand and realized someone had been buried there,” said James Miyaki, Meshack’s brother.
Shocked and terrified, the family immediately alerted police officers from Manga Police Station, who cordoned off the area and called in homicide detectives to examine the site.
“He was buried barely two feet deep. The stench was already coming out. It was clear someone wanted to hide the body quickly,” James added.
After hours of digging, investigators confirmed that the decomposing remains belonged to the missing elderly man.
However, their worst fears were confirmed on Wednesday morning when a fresh grave was discovered behind his house, exposing what police now describe as a gruesome murder and cover-up.
Grim Discovery in the Backyard
According to family members, the discovery was purely accidental.
“We noticed some disturbed soil near the edge of the compound. When we scratched a little, we saw part of a hand and realized someone had been buried there,” said James Miyaki, Meshack’s brother.
Shocked and terrified, the family immediately alerted police officers from Manga Police Station, who cordoned off the area and called in homicide detectives to examine the site.
“He was buried barely two feet deep. The stench was already coming out. It was clear someone wanted to hide the body quickly,” James added.
After hours of digging, investigators confirmed that the decomposing remains belonged to the missing elderly man.
His body was later moved to a local mortuary for DNA tests and post-mortem analysis to determine the exact cause of death.
Relatives of the late Mainye expressed anger and frustration over what they called police negligence in handling the missing person’s case. They said several warnings and leads had been ignored by local authorities in the early days of the disappearance.
“When we first reported him missing, we were told maybe he had travelled. But my uncle never travelled without informing anyone,” said Daniel Nyagwoko, a relative.
Relatives of the late Mainye expressed anger and frustration over what they called police negligence in handling the missing person’s case. They said several warnings and leads had been ignored by local authorities in the early days of the disappearance.
“When we first reported him missing, we were told maybe he had travelled. But my uncle never travelled without informing anyone,” said Daniel Nyagwoko, a relative.
“If the police acted faster, maybe we could have found him alive.”Neighbours who spoke to Nairobinewsroom described Meshack as a calm, hardworking man who rarely got into disputes. He was a retired civil servant and part-time farmer known for his generosity in the community.
“This murder is shocking. He was a peaceful man who helped everyone. We can’t understand who would do such a thing,” said Wycliffe Omwenga, a close family friend.
“This murder is shocking. He was a peaceful man who helped everyone. We can’t understand who would do such a thing,” said Wycliffe Omwenga, a close family friend.
Nyamira County Criminal Investigations Officer confirmed that a forensic team had been dispatched to collect evidence and reconstruct the events leading to the killing.
Preliminary findings suggest that Meshack was murdered elsewhere in the compound before being hurriedly buried to conceal the crime.
Authorities are now pursuing several leads, including family disputes and land ownership wrangles, which detectives believe could be linked to the murder.
“We have vital clues that may help us identify those responsible,” a senior police officer told reporters on condition of anonymity. “Once the autopsy and DNA tests are complete, we expect to make arrests soon.”
The gruesome incident has sent a wave of fear across the quiet village of Manga, with residents demanding tighter security and faster police response in handling missing person cases.
“What happened to Meshack could happen to anyone. We want the government to strengthen local policing and community surveillance,” said a local elder.
As the homicide investigation intensifies, family members have appealed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Inspector General of Police to intervene and ensure justice is served.
“We will not rest until we know who buried our father like an animal in his own home,” James said emotionally.
Authorities are now pursuing several leads, including family disputes and land ownership wrangles, which detectives believe could be linked to the murder.
“We have vital clues that may help us identify those responsible,” a senior police officer told reporters on condition of anonymity. “Once the autopsy and DNA tests are complete, we expect to make arrests soon.”
The gruesome incident has sent a wave of fear across the quiet village of Manga, with residents demanding tighter security and faster police response in handling missing person cases.
“What happened to Meshack could happen to anyone. We want the government to strengthen local policing and community surveillance,” said a local elder.
As the homicide investigation intensifies, family members have appealed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Inspector General of Police to intervene and ensure justice is served.
“We will not rest until we know who buried our father like an animal in his own home,” James said emotionally.
“Whoever did this must face the law.”
By Wednesday evening, police had concluded the exhumation exercise and transferred the remains to Nyamira County Referral Hospital mortuary.
By Wednesday evening, police had concluded the exhumation exercise and transferred the remains to Nyamira County Referral Hospital mortuary.
A post-mortem is expected to be conducted in the coming days to establish the cause and time of death.
No suspects had been arrested by the time of going to press, though detectives say they are closing in on key individuals believed to have been seen near the homestead around the time Meshack disappeared.
No suspects had been arrested by the time of going to press, though detectives say they are closing in on key individuals believed to have been seen near the homestead around the time Meshack disappeared.
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