A section of Mwingi Town residents has raised concerns over what they describe as a growing security lapse in the town and its surrounding areas.

The concerns come a day after four male bodies were exhumed from shallow graves in a gully within Mwingi Town.

Just a month ago, three other bodies were recovered less than two kilometres from the site where the shallow graves were discovered.

Of the three bodies, one was found at River Tyaa, while the other two were discovered days later. One of the bodies belonged to a woman who had been decapitated and was found naked. The third body was discovered during a police search for the missing head of the woman, which was later recovered.

According to authorities, the three bodies remain unclaimed at the Mwingi Level 4 Hospital mortuary.

Mwingi Central Sub-County Police Commander Antony Maina said the four bodies exhumed on Tuesday were all male. They had been buried naked, with their hands and legs folded.

Preliminary observations also indicated that although the bodies had begun decomposing, they may have been preserved in some way.

 This was based on the fact that they did not emit the strong odour normally associated with bodies at a similar stage of decomposition.

Residents now suspect that some of the victims may have been killed elsewhere and their bodies dumped in Mwingi. They have called on security agencies to remain vigilant and strengthen security measures in the area.

The bodies were first spotted by members of the public on Monday before being exhumed on Tuesday.