Isiolo County, Kenya| A chilling discovery has plunged the quiet town of Isiolo into mourning and disbelief after the lifeless body of a young woman, believed to be a medical student at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Isiolo Campus, was found dumped in the Isiolo Prison Farm, locally known as “Shamba la Prison,” directly opposite St. Kizito Primary School on Thursday morning.
The gruesome find, made by prison farm workers and nearby residents shortly after dawn, has sent shockwaves across the region, raising serious concerns about women’s safety in the county and the circumstances that led to such a brazen disposal of a body in a government-controlled facility.
Grisly Scene and Initial Observations
Eyewitnesses who were among the first to arrive at the scene described a horrifying sight: the body of a young woman, estimated to be in her early to mid-20s, lying in a secluded section of the prison farm.
Visible marks around her neck strongly suggested that she had been strangled to death.
“She had clear strangulation marks on her neck. It looked like someone used a lot of force. Her eyes were open, and there were signs she fought back,” one shaken resident told journalists at the scene, speaking on condition of anonymity.
There were no immediate signs of other injuries reported, though forensic examination will provide conclusive details.
What is even more disconcerting about the tragedy is that Isiolo County just launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which happens every year in November to raise awareness against the vice, only a few days ago.
Unconfirmed Identity: KMTC-Isiolo Student
Although police are yet to officially identify the victim, multiple unverified but consistent reports from students, local residents, and sources close to the institution indicate that the deceased is a female student pursuing a medical-related course at KMTC Isiolo Campus.
Friends and classmates who viewed photographs circulating on social media expressed devastation, with several reportedly collapsing upon recognizing the victim. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified images of the body out of respect for the family.
Timeline: Murdered Overnight, Body Dumped Under Cover of Darkness
Investigators believe the murder occurred on Wednesday night, with the perpetrator(s) transporting and dumping the body at the prison farm sometime between late Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday.
The choice of location has baffled both residents and security analysts. The prison farm, despite being a relatively open area used for agricultural activities by inmates, is state-controlled land situated in a highly visible spot directly opposite St. Kizito Primary School and close to residential estates.
The audacity of dumping a body in such a location has heightened fears that the killer may be familiar with the area’s routines and security gaps.
Police Launch Full-Scale Investigation
Isiolo County Police Commander Patrick Mbarua confirmed that a team of detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has taken over the case.
Scene-of-crime personnel processed the area throughout Thursday, collecting potential evidence while the body was removed to Isiolo County Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
“We are treating this as murder. Our officers are working around the clock to establish the identity of the victim, the motive, and the circumstances that led to her death,” Cmdr. Mbarua stated in a brief address to the press.
Police have appealed to members of the public with any information—particularly those who may have noticed suspicious movements around the prison farm or along major access roads on Wednesday night—to come forward.
Community in Grief and Anger
The tragedy has sparked outrage among residents, women’s rights groups, and students, who are demanding swift justice and enhanced security measures, especially for female students living off-campus. Many expressed fear about walking alone, especially after dark.
As Isiolo grapples with yet another brutal killing of a young woman, pressure is mounting on law enforcement to not only solve this case but to address the broader issue of femicide and insecurity that continues to claim lives across Kenya.
Authorities have promised regular updates as the investigation progresses. For now, a grieving community awaits answers—and justice—for the bright young life so cruelly cut short in the heart of Isiolo town.
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