Police Reservist Kills Man in Meru, Triggers Investigation; Separate Murder Probe Launched in Tharaka Nithi
A National Police Reservist officer is under scrutiny after a fatal shooting in Mutuati, Meru, while authorities investigate the discovery of an unidentified woman's body in the Tana River.
Authorities in Meru County have launched a full investigation following the fatal shooting of a 47-year-old man by a National Police Reservist (NPR) officer on Saturday morning, August 15, 2026, in Mutuati. The incident, which saw Julius Kariunga lose his life, has drawn attention to the conduct and accountability of armed reservists in local communities, a matter of significant concern across Kenya and East Africa.
According to preliminary police reports, the NPR officer allegedly used a G3 rifle to shoot Kariunga, who sustained severe injuries and subsequently succumbed. In a dramatic turn after the shooting, the officer reportedly proceeded to Ndoleli Police Station, where he discarded the weapon. Police officers who arrived at the scene confirmed Kariunga's death, initiating a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter.
The G3 rifle, identified by its serial number 070628, has since been recovered by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and secured as a crucial exhibit in the ongoing probe. Kariunga's body has been transported to the Nyambene General Hospital mortuary, awaiting a postmortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death. As of reporting, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, with investigators working to piece together the events that led to the tragedy.
In a separate and equally disturbing development, residents of Tharaka North in Tharaka Nithi County discovered the body of an unidentified woman believed to be approximately 60 years old, floating in the Tana River near Segerea Market on Saturday. The discovery has prompted another urgent police investigation into suspected foul play, highlighting the persistent challenge of violent crime in the region.
Police officers who retrieved the body from the river noted that the woman was found unclothed and bore a deep cut on her forehead, indicative of an injury inflicted by a sharp object. Initial investigations suggest that the woman might have been murdered elsewhere before her body was disposed of in the river. The scene was meticulously processed and documented by forensic teams.
The deceased's body has been moved to Marimanti Level 4 Hospital mortuary, where it awaits an autopsy as police endeavor to establish her identity and the full circumstances of her death. Investigations into both incidents are actively underway, as reported by Kahawa Tungu.