KWS Officer's Death Reclassified as Murder After Autopsy Rules Out Suicide

Authorities in Nakuru have launched a murder investigation into the death of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Corporal Leonard Ochieng Odero after a post-mortem found he died from multiple gunshot wounds, contradicting initial reports that he had taken his own life.

A post-mortem conducted on 25 June at Umash Funeral Home by government pathologist Dr Titus Ngulungu found that Odero suffered three fatal gunshot wounds. One bullet entered through the back of his head and exited through his mouth, shattering his jaw. 

A second entered through his back, passed through his rib cage and exited through his chest. A third struck his left shoulder from the front before exiting through the back, fracturing his upper arm. Dr Ngulungu concluded that the officer died from severe blood loss and extensive head and chest injuries.

The findings have overturned the initial belief that the officer died by suicide. Police said the number and trajectory of the gunshot wounds were inconsistent with a self-inflicted shooting and have reclassified the case as suspected murder. Detectives returned to the scene on Thursday to document fresh evidence and collect additional material for forensic examination.

Investigators recovered several spent cartridges, the officer's service rifle and a handwritten note addressed to his family. Although the note contained personal instructions, detectives said it does not, on its own, support the earlier conclusion of suicide and will be examined alongside other evidence.

Sources said Odero had recently been transferred from Aberdare National Park to Nakuru National Park.