A 42-year-old casual employee of the Trans Nzoia County Government has been found dead inside a water-filled well in Kitale, in an incident that has left residents seeking answers.
The deceased, identified as Wilson Kiprop Rutongot, worked in the county government’s Department of Environment. His body was recovered from a well at Railway Ground in Bidii Sub-location, Kwanza Sub-county.
According to police, a man who knew Rutongot reported that the deceased had gone to the well shortly before the incident. Officers were informed that Rutongot removed his clothes and shoes before entering the water.
When police arrived, they found the approximately three-metre-wide well filled with water. His clothes, shoes and other belongings had reportedly been left near the site.
With the assistance of members of the public, officers retrieved the body from the well. Police said there were no visible external injuries on the deceased.
Scenes of Crime officers documented the area as investigations got underway. Rutongot’s remains were subsequently taken to a local mortuary, where they were preserved pending a postmortem examination.
Preliminary reports have linked the incident to alleged financial difficulties, including unpaid salary. However, authorities have not established the circumstances surrounding his death, and the reported motive remains subject to investigation.
Police have appealed to Rutongot’s relatives, friends and anyone who interacted with him before his death to provide information that could help establish his movements and final moments.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the postmortem expected to provide further information about the cause and circumstances of his death.
The incident has also renewed calls for people facing financial or emotional difficulties to seek support from trusted individuals or qualified professionals rather than facing overwhelming challenges alone.