KAKAMEGA, Kenya — Detectives have launched investigations into a string of incidents reported across several counties on Wednesday, beginning with the death of a woman found inside a supermarket toilet in Kakamega Town.
Police said the body of Sabina Moraa, a supplier of pesticide products to Khetias Supermarket, was discovered shortly after her death. Staff members raised the alarm after stumbling upon her in the store’s washrooms and attempted to assist her before alerting authorities.
“She was found unresponsive in the toilet area, and our officers moved the body to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination,” a police officer familiar with the case said. Detectives are now seeking to establish the cause of Moraa’s death, with an autopsy expected to guide the next steps of the inquiry.
The Kakamega incident was among several police investigations launched on the same day in other regions.
In Cheptiret, Uasin Gishu County, detectives are pursuing a gang of suspected thieves who broke into St Thomas Catholic Church during the early morning hours. According to police, the suspects managed to evade security guards before breaking padlocks to access the sanctuary.
The gang is reported to have stolen a mixer, amplifier, microphones, rechargeable batteries, a bulb, and two padlocks. “Officers are tracking leads to identify and apprehend the culprits,” police said, noting that the church leadership has recorded statements to aid investigations.
Meanwhile, in Lurambi, Kakamega County, property belonging to students of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) was destroyed when ten rental houses were razed in a fire on Wednesday afternoon. The students lost clothing, electronics, furniture, and academic materials.
No injuries were recorded in the incident. Police say they are working with county disaster officials and the property owner to determine the cause of the fire. Preliminary assessments did not immediately point to a suspected source.
In Kondele, Kisumu County, authorities are investigating another fire that destroyed a cobbler’s workshop. According to police, the blaze is believed to have originated from a pile of rubbish lit near the shop, which quickly spread and consumed the business premises.
“We are treating this as a suspected arson case until investigations establish otherwise,” an officer said. No casualties were reported.
A separate fire incident was reported in Mayenje, Busia County, where a residential house was burnt down. Police said the homeowner lost property valued at more than Sh1 million. No injuries were recorded, and the cause of the fire remains unknown pending a forensic assessment.
The series of incidents across multiple counties has prompted calls from community leaders for enhanced surveillance, improved compliance with safety guidelines, and stronger neighbourhood watch initiatives. Fire outbreaks remain a recurrent challenge in several regions, often linked to electrical faults, waste-burning practices, or unexplained triggers requiring deeper investigation.
Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially around public buildings and residential areas. Investigators across the affected counties are expected to share updates once preliminary findings are consolidated.
