Mlolongo abductions: Autopsy reveals Justus Musyimi, Martin Mwau died of multiple injuries

Justus Musyimi and Martin Mwau, who went missing in December and whose bodies were recovered at Nairobi Funeral Home, died of multiple injuries in the chest, head, abdominal, and neck.

Government pathologist Dr Richard Njoroge, who conducted the postmortem, says Musyimi's body had visible defensive injuries, pointing to a struggle between the killers and the deceased.

From the findings, the two men who disappeared together on December 17, 2024, suffered multiple injuries at the hands of their killers. Musyimi's postmortem results were the first to be relayed.

"The first body was very, very decomposed, but the main findings there were multiple abdominal, chest, and head injuries. We also have defence injuries on the arms, so it looks like there was a struggle because when you try to defend yourself, you get what we call defence injuries,” Dr. Njoroge said.

The late Mwau also suffered the same fate, with visible neck injuries suggesting possible strangulation.

"He also had an abdominal wall and thoracic injuries - again, it was multiple injuries. The other finding on the second body was an injury to the neck, and we came to the conclusion that the cause of death was manual neck compression,” Dr. Njoroge added.

Another finding was the level of body decomposition, which the pathologist says can only be released for burial after DNA tests to ascertain the identities of the two.

"I know the families say they have identified the bodies, but we will be very hesitant to release the bodies for the families to bury until definitive identification by DNA method is done,” he added.

The two families want the government to arrest and take action against those involved in the murder of their loved ones.

"Tumeona jinsi walivyoteswa maanake wamevunjwa mbavu na kunyongwa na hiyo ni kitu naona haiwezi fanywa na mtu mwenye hajui juu ukiangalia organs hazijaumia na mbavu zimevunjika ... Tungependa serikali ifuatilie na itendee haki,” Mwau’s relative Jimmy Musyoka said.

Musyimi's brother Duncan Kyallo added, "We are still appealing to the government to go ahead and give justice to the mother."

"We are a bit worried when the government says they are unable to determine who has done this, and worse still, they are unable to trace the bodies,” ICJ Executive Director Eric Mukoya noted.

The two deceased friends were allegedly abducted alongside two other friends, Steve Mbisi and Kalani Muema, who are yet to be traced.