A standoff has ensued between security personnel within Delmonte Kenya Ltd plantation and the locals after a suspected pineapple thief was shot dead.
The killing of Stephen Marubu, 30, on Tuesday sparked violence as residents in Kihiu Mwiri and Mwangario, burned a vehicle security guards were using in revenge. It is alleged that Marubu was killed by a police officer, accompanying the security guards on patrol.
This incident follows another one on Friday last week, when a security patrol vehicle ran over Michael Muiruri, killing him instantly within the farm.
After the shooting incident, the community repulsed the guards and blocked them for more than five hours from collecting Marubu’s body from the scene, until a reinforcement team led by Ithanga Kakuzi Sub County Police Commander Hassan Bashir was deployed.
Stephen Wachira, who was in Marubu’s company at the time, recounted how they were passing nearby when they were asked where they were going and the latter replied they were from Makongo area in Thika and were heading home in Kihiu Mwiri.
