A 48-year-old woman has been found dead with her head missing in Kitui county.

Margaret Kavisa John’s body was found lying by the roadside at Mbagwani village in Kakongo sub-location, Kairungu location of Mwingi Central subcounty early Monday.

Eastern regional police commander Joseph Ole Napeiyan said the matter was reported to Mwingi police station as a murder incident report at 2.03 am.

“It was reported by an administrator that there was a person believed to have been attacked and appeared killed at Mbagwani village, Kakongo sub-location, Kairungu location, Kiomo division. Both police from Mwingi and DCI teams responded swiftly,” Napeiyan told the Star by phone on Monday morning.

Napeiyan said upon arrival at the scene, the officers found Margaret's body.

He said the deceased’s body had several sharp cuts that may have been inflicted using a machete.

“The woman’s head was also chopped off and missing,” Napeiyan said.

The police boss said some personal items including a KRA PIN form and travelling bag containing clothing were recovered from the scene and kept as exhibits.

The body was moved to Mwingi level 4 Hospital mortuary for preservation awaiting autopsy.

The detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations attached to Mwingi Central police station have launched a probe into the incident.

No suspect had been arrested by press time.