NAIROBI, Kenya — Police in Tana River County have launched investigations into the killing of five men in Bangale Sub-County in what authorities suspect was an execution-style attack.
The bodies were discovered near a watering point in the Biyagadud area after a herder reportedly heard gunshots and witnessed armed individuals shooting people who were lying on the ground.
According to a police report filed at Madogo Police Station, the incident occurred at about 12:30 pm on Saturday.
“A herder who had taken his camels to the water point reportedly heard gunshots and saw armed individuals firing at people who were lying on the ground. Fearing for his safety, he fled to Biyagadud village, where he alerted village elders,” the report stated.
The elders later visited the scene and found five bodies. Police said the victims’ hands had reportedly been tied in pairs, raising suspicion that the killings may have been carried out deliberately.
Officers from the National Police Service who responded to the scene identified the victims as members of the Degodia community.
The deceased were identified as Abdi Kullow, 33, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head; Osman Abdi Ibrahim, 35, who was shot in the chin and right palm; Mohamed Adow, 25, who sustained a gunshot wound to the forehead; Siyat Jele, 40, who was shot in the forehead; and Sahal Hile, 28, who suffered a gunshot wound on the right side of the forehead.
Police said the scene was processed and documented as investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the killings and identify the perpetrators.
Authorities had not established a motive for the attack by the time of the report, and no arrests had been announced.
Police efforts to transfer the bodies to the Garissa Level 5 Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations were reportedly resisted by members of the public, who later buried the victims according to Islamic rites.
The killings come amid continued security concerns in parts of northern Kenya, where authorities have previously dealt with cases involving banditry, inter-community tensions, and armed attacks.
Investigators are expected to rely on forensic evidence, witness accounts, and intelligence gathering to determine what led to the deaths and bring those responsible to justice.
