Land of bloodshed: Two killed in Njiru over land dispute
Police in Njiru has launched investigations after two people were killed by unknown assailants in a suspected land deal gone sour.
On Sunday, a total of 11 people who are believed to have been part of 300 goons stormed the Njiru Ageria land-buying society and forcefully evicted occupants and guards at the land.
A police report seen by Nairobi News revealed that the goons then went ahead and burnt down houses before killing two people identified as Mr. Joshua Maingi Kilele and Mr. Shamira Lontorol.
“Also Mr Daniel Gathiani who was amongst the goons was injured on the shoulder with an arrow. He was taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital while the bodies of the two were also taken to the facility’s morgue,” the report filed under OB number 16/23/10/2022 at Obama Police Post read in part.
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From the scene, police also towed a motor vehicle of registration number KBN 382L a Toyota Spacio which had been used to ferry the goons believed to have been hired.
It is worth noting that the land in question which measures 180 acres has in the past been invaded by people who start quarrying.
Members of the society are 800 and have always cried foul saying that someone was out to earn from land which does not belong to them.
The Nairobi News contacted Mr. Paul Wambugu who is the Njiru Sub County commander who confirmed the incident saying that two people had indeed been killed in the stampede.
“The land is usually being guarded by the two and when they were just seated at work, a group that is claiming the piece of land stormed the premises and started attacking them,” he said.
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Mr Wambugu said that the land is currently being manned by police officers until the matter is settled by the courts.
He gave a stern warning to people who are hired to cause chaos saying that he will not allow unruly people to cause mayhem in the Sub-County.
“What happened should not happen anywhere in this Sub County and we shall take action against anyone who wants to use force to get things illegally,” he said.
According to him, the arrested will be charged with various offenses which are related to murder, malicious damage and causing a disturbance,” he said, adding that the matter was criminal in nature.
He asked members of the public who might have information on what transpired to assist the police with the ongoing investigations.
Currently, sleuths attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are going through CCTV footage in order to nab more suspects.
Njiru Sub County has been on the spot for various land-grabbing claims with locals asking the police to assist them to secure what they legally own.
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Early this year, police officers attached to Njiru Police Station clashed with their peers from Mavoko Sub County in Machakos County over a parcel of land.
Officers from both police stations have been accusing each other of invading a territory that is not theirs.
Athi River Deputy County Commander, Charles Wambugu, accused the Njiru officers of stepping in and resolving land disputes in his region without involving his officers
In 2020, a man identified as Jared Ochok was killed by unknown assailants who shot him before speeding away. Mr. Ochok who engaged in land selling business in Njiru was killed barely a week after a surveyor was also murdered by unknown men.
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