So sad: Missing Voi teacher found dead in Maungu

Fear engulfed Maungu village after a body of secondary school teacher who went missing on Wednesday last week was found hanging on a tree, few meters from Maungu town along Mombasa/Nairobi highway.

Kepha Otuoma, 35 a senior teacher at Mwaghogho Secondary School in Voi,Taita Taveta County was reported missing on Wednesday after he left his house in Railways estate for driving classes in a nearby driving school.

Voi OCPD Joshua Chesire confirmed the incidence saying that the deceased did not leave any suicide note.

He said his body did not have visible injuries.

“We have started investigations to establish whether he committed suicide or he was murdered. We urge the public to stay calm as we carry on the process.” the police boss said.

Chesire said the body was found dangling in a tree following a manhunt by police, education officials and family members after his phone’s last signal was traced in the area.

His body was taken to Moi County Referral Hospital mortuary pending postmortem investigation.

Anne; the deceased wife said her husband had left home on Wednesday, promising to be back shortly and he never showed up since then.

“He was in good health when he left the house. He told me that he shall come back early but he never came. I called him but he did not pick his phone until it went off.” She said.

She urged police to investigate the death.

The suspicious death has drawn reaction from education stakeholders calling for thorough investigation. County Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) secretary general Shedrack Mutungi noted that the humbled-teacher might have been murdered and his body hanged at the scene.

“It is until the police complete their investigation that we can rule out such possibilities. It is not clear how he got to this place from Voi and he might have been kidnapped by unknown assailants.” Mutungi said.

He described him as a hardworking teacher, further urging anybody with information concerning the incidence to share with police.

County Teachers Service Commission director Ms Joyce Kikuvi said the teacher was on two weeks sick leaving owing to his health problems.

“He had recently been transferred from Funju Secondary School in Wundanyi to his new station due to health complications. He later proceeded on sick leave.” She said.

-SOLOMON MUINGI