The family of Ian Singoei, a 27-year-old man whose body was discovered in a river in Mwiki, Nairobi, says he died from drowning.
Ian, the son of Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner John Korir, went missing on December 31, 2024.
His body was found five days later on January 4, near his residence in the Mwiki area.
Commissioner Korir revealed that Ian had been with friends on New Year’s Eve before he went missing.
Efforts to reach him by phone were unsuccessful, prompting an extensive search and a police report.
Ian Singoei’s body was recovered from a nearby river and taken to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) for postmortem and preservation.
Preliminary results from the postmortem indicated drowning as the cause of death. Korir noted that additional tests are being conducted to check for possible toxicity.
“We have full confidence in the police to conduct a thorough investigation,”
“As a family, we categorically disassociate Ian’s death from the rumors and speculation being circulated in the media suggesting links to abduction or activism.” Korir said in a statement.
Korir further clarified that his son, a young professional, had no political affiliations or activist inclinations.
“These baseless allegations are deeply hurtful to our family, and we urge the public and media to avoid perpetuating misinformation,” he added.
Rising Concerns Over Abductions
Ian’s death comes amid growing concerns about abductions and forced disappearances in Kenya.
Just days earlier, the body of Ibrahim Mwiti, who went missing in November 2024, was buried at Lang’ata Cemetery after being discovered at the Thika Level Four Mortuary.
Over the past six months, reports of abductions and disappearances have surged.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights recorded at least 82 cases since June 2024, coinciding with youth protests against the Finance Bill.
In the final quarter of 2024, 13 cases were reported, with seven occurring in December alone.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mulele Ingonga, has called for urgent investigations into the matter.
On January 1, 2025, he directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to submit a report within three days.
“The state has a duty to safeguard the right to life and personal security as outlined in Articles 26 and 29 of the Constitution,”
Ingonga stated, highlighting cases of individuals such as Steve Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, and cartoonist Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull.
Authorities are under pressure to resolve these cases and address the rising fears among Kenyan families.
