Nairobi News

LifeWhat's Hot

Fresh clues to missing city businessman after police find rotting body in his car – PHOTOS


Police in Embu have recovered the decomposing body they suspect to be that of a 54-year old Nairobi businessman who went missing five months ago.

The body thought to be that of Mr James Maina Muikia was found inside his damaged car, which was trapped inside River Thiba, at Urua village, Mbeere South Sub County.

Mbeere South police boss Ahmed Mohammed said though family members had confirmed that it was his car, police will conduct a DNA test to establish if the body was that of Mr Maina.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY

Mr Maina went missing on April 21 while driving his silver VolvoXc60 registration number KCN 336R near Rwika market.

“We retrieved the vehicle and found a male adult body. We suspect he is the owner of the vehicle. We are trying to match fingerprints,” said Mr Mohammed.

The body was taken to Siakago hospital mortuary for postmortem, while the vehicle had been towed to Kiritiri police station.

 

Wreckage of the car found in River Thiba. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO
Wreckage of the car found in River Thiba. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO

The police boss said they suspect the vehicle was swept away by floods in April and carried for about six kilometers to where it was found trapped by two huge rocks.

Area residents spotted the roof of the vehicle and alerted the police and a search was mounted.

“We think that the person who went missing during the month of April is the same one who was found inside. During that period, we experienced heavy rains and it was flooding and it is only this month that the water volume started to subside. The vehicle was in a very deep place and it is a crocodile infested river. The vehicle also had a lot of sand in it,” said Mr Mohammed.

BEFORE AND AFTER: The wreckage of the vehicle found in River Thiba. PHOTO | COURTESY | CHARLES WANYORO
BEFORE AND AFTER: The wreckage of the vehicle found in River Thiba. PHOTO | COURTESY | CHARLES WANYORO

On the fateful day, Mr Maina is reported to have visited his farm in Embu when he went missing.

Makima MCA Philip Nzangi, who was among the people who helped retrieve the vehicle, said they used tractors from nearby farms.

He said the vehicle appeared to have been swept by water for about six kilometers from the Gachuriri bridge in Kakawa area.

“It seems like it was a normal accident where the vehicle was swept by water. We are suspecting that it might have been swept from Kakawa area near the Gachuriri bridge since that is where the road is. The water level were high during the rainy season,” said Mr Nzangi.