At least eight bodies have been found, but reports indicate there could be more as anger grows over the discovery.
Kenyan police have promised a “transparent” investigation into the discovery of eight mutilated female bodies dumped in an abandoned quarry in Mukuru, a cluster of slums south of the capital Nairobi.
“I and the entire National Police Service understand the deep concern and distress that this tragedy has caused to the families, residents of Kware and fellow Kenyans,” Acting Police Chief Douglas Kanja said in an address to reporters on Sunday.
“We are committed to conducting transparent, thorough and prompt investigations,” Kanja said, adding that transparency would extend to the post-mortem operation and that the media would be involved at all stages.
The announcement came after Kenya's acting inspector general of police said officers at the Kware police station had been transferred.
Investigations into the bodies, which were found inside plastic bags in a case that has shaken the country, are expected to be completed within three weeks, according to the interim police chief.
Police authorities said they were looking into possible links to cults, serial killers or corrupt doctors as part of their investigation.
President William Ruto is under increasing pressure to contain the national crisis that has gripped widespread anti-government protests.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome resigned on Friday amid ongoing protests, which have left dozens of demonstrators dead. The announcement came a day after Ruto sacked almost his entire cabinet in a bid to respond to protesters' demands.
Kenya's police watchdog, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), said on Friday it was investigating whether there was any police involvement in the case of the mutilated bodies, noting that the dumping site was just 100 metres (328 feet) from the police post.
The AFP news agency reported that in the absence of a police search on Sunday, volunteers were sifting through the huge piles of rubbish in search of more victims.
The residents reportedly tried to take a bag they had taken from the quarry to the police station, but were met with tear gas canisters.
