Kenyan Man Found Dead in Reading After Exposure to Extreme Cold

Kepha Otundo

A man believed to be Kenyan has been found dead in Reading, Berkshire, in the United Kingdom after being exposed to severe winter weather conditions. Local authorities identified him as Kepha Otundo, who had been living in a cluster of tents along Abattoirs Road, where a makeshift campsite for homeless individuals had formed.

According to a source, “At the time of his death, he was homeless and living in tents along Abattoirs Road in Reading, where a makeshift campsite had formed.”

Many foreign nationals—particularly migrants from Africa—struggle to cope with the harsh UK winter due to inadequate shelter, clothing, and heating. Support groups say these conditions contributed to the tragedy that befell Otundo.

Members of the African community in Reading revealed that the campsite where Otundo and several other vulnerable individuals lived had been under repeated eviction threats. Reading Borough Council had secured a High Court Writ of Possession on July 4, 2025, ordering the removal of all occupants from the site. This displacement created deep uncertainty among residents and further exposed them to the dangers of living outdoors during freezing temperatures.

Authorities and support organisations say Otundo’s death underscores the extreme vulnerability of homeless people, especially migrants living in precarious and undocumented conditions. They note that many African migrants suffer in silence, often too embarrassed or afraid to seek help for fear of being judged or seen as failures.

Support groups are urging Africans—particularly those who are homeless, undocumented, mentally exhausted, or struggling to survive in harsh weather—to seek assistance immediately. Local shelters, churches, charities, community groups, and African diaspora associations regularly provide emergency support regardless of immigration status, especially during extreme cold spells.

Reading’s Winter Conditions

Reading, a major town in Berkshire, experiences winter temperatures that can drop below freezing—conditions unfamiliar to many people from warmer climates. Prolonged exposure to such extreme cold without proper shelter, clothing, or heating can lead to severe health risks including hypothermia, frostbite, and, in extreme cases, death.

Authorities warn that vulnerable individuals, particularly those sleeping rough, face heightened danger during this period.