Kenya, Sept. 15 -- Detectives in Nairobi have launched a probe into the Sammy Kyengo body found at Talanta Stadium construction site, a tragic discovery that has cast a shadow over the ambitious project. The 35-year-old construction worker from Ngong, Kajiado County, had been reported missing by his wife, Christine, on September 6, 2025, after he left for his shift at the site in Jamhuri Grounds.
The grim find came on Saturday, September 13, when casual laborers clearing materials for plastering work stumbled upon Kyengo's remains around 9 a.m. His body was floating in a water sump behind the terraces under construction, concealed with pieces of boards. Police from Nairobi Area quickly cordoned off the area, with Scene of Crime investigators processing the site before transporting the body to Nairobi Funeral Home for autopsy.
Initial examinations revealed visible injuries on the back of Kyengo's head and the right side of his neck, along with blood oozing from his nose and mouth. These signs point to possible foul play, though the exact cause of death awaits confirmation from the post-mortem report. Kyengo's phone had been offline since his disappearance, complicating early searches.
Christine Kyengo, speaking tearfully to reporters outside the site, recounted her husband's final days. "He was frustrated because the company hadn't paid us since July," she said. "He planned to quit once he got his wages, but now this. We searched hospitals, police stations, and mortuaries everywhere." The couple, parents to a young child, had been enduring financial strain, with Kyengo supporting his nephew Paul Kioko's school fees and rent as well.
Colleagues described Kyengo as a peaceful man with no known enemies or disputes. "We saw him on September 6, but can't recall if he left the premises," said one worker, Ivan Bongo. "We're shocked-who could do this? If it can happen to him here, are we safe?" The revelation has heightened fears among the site's hundreds of laborers, many of whom are casual hires on the high-profile build.
The incident prompted project managers to suspend operations on Saturday, allowing police full access to gather evidence. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, exploring leads like workplace tensions over delayed payments. No suspects have been named, but investigators suspect the killing might stem from a dispute at the site.
Talanta Sports City, a KSh 44.7 billion flagship project funded through an innovative Infrastructure Asset-Backed Security listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in July 2025, is set to become Kenya's largest stadium with 60,000 seats. Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation, it's slated for completion by December 2025 to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations opening match and final, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The venue will also feature this year's Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12.
This tragedy marks a dark chapter for the development, which broke ground in March 2024 under President William Ruto's watch. Media rights groups and labor unions have called for enhanced security at construction sites, citing rising concerns over worker safety in Kenya's booming infrastructure sector.
Social media has buzzed with condolences and demands for justice. "This is heartbreaking-protect our workers!" posted one user. As the family grapples with loss, detectives vow a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the Sammy Kyengo body found at Talanta Stadium site.
The autopsy results, expected soon, could provide crucial clues. For now, the site remains eerily quiet, a stark reminder that behind grand visions lie human stories of vulnerability and peril.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.