A chilling murder case from Machakos County continues to grip public attention years after the killing of a young man whose death investigators linked to a suspected insurance fraud scheme involving a close family member.
At the centre of the case is Evans Masaku Kasyoki, a former insurance official accused of masterminding the killing of his nephew, Eric Makau Musyoka, in what authorities described as a calculated plot driven by financial gain.
The case, often cited as one of Kenya’s most disturbing “murder-for-profit” incidents, has raised serious concerns about abuse of insurance systems and delayed justice.
Eric Makau, aged 27 at the time of his death, was found dead under suspicious circumstances near his home in Kangundo.
A postmortem later confirmed that he had suffered fatal head injuries inflicted by a blunt object, pointing to a violent and deliberate attack.
Investigations that followed uncovered a troubling pattern. Detectives established that multiple life insurance policies worth approximately KSh 9 million had been taken out in the victim’s name, with Kasyoki listed as the sole beneficiary.
The timing of the policies raised further suspicion, as they had reportedly been processed just days before the young man’s death, with minimal premium payments made.
Authorities also pointed to phone records allegedly placing Kasyoki near the victim around the time of the killing, as well as documents believed to have been filled in his handwriting.
Investigators further claimed that there were attempts to fast-track death certification and initiate insurance claims shortly after the burial.
The case sparked public outrage, not only because of the brutality of the killing but also due to the close family relationship between the suspect and the victim.
Questions were also raised about the time it took to arrest the suspect, despite early indications linking him to the crime.
Kasyoki was eventually arrested in August 2018 in Nairobi and later charged with murder. However, the case has faced prolonged delays in court, stretching over several years.
In 2024, the Machakos High Court ordered the reopening of the case, signaling a renewed push to conclude the matter.
As proceedings continue, the case remains a stark reminder of how financial motives can intersect with violent crime. It also highlights gaps in oversight within the insurance sector and the challenges faced in delivering timely justice.