Scores injured as police confront youths in Murang'a

About five police officers and about 10 residents of the Makenji area in Kandara subcounty, Murang’a county, have sustained injuries following confrontations that temporarily blocked Thika Kenol highway.

The chaos started after police officers allegedly shot at residents suspected to have taken pineapples from the vast Delmonte farm, injuring some of them.

According to eyewitnesses, the residents who were carrying sacks filled with pineapples scampered to safety while some sustained serious injuries, and they then regrouped and reportedly stoned the police officers.

Kevin Mwangi who confessed to having been part of the suspects alleged that he was shocked that the police fired at them.

He said the man behind him was shot and fell, forcing him to jump into a trench in which the police then threw a teargas canister.

“I was saved by some people who passed by with a car and grabbed me,” he said.

Mwangi accused local police officers of failing to release motorbikes confiscated near the farm saying they are incurring heavy losses as the bodabodas are procured through loans.

Another woman who sustained gunshot injuries said she was in the comfort of her home when she got shot, accusing police officers of chasing suspected thieves into residential areas.

Boniface Makai, also a resident, said local youths normally venture into the farm to cut grass for their cows and sometimes get tempted to eat the pineapples.

“That is not stealing, that is just taking because it’s food. When they crossed back into the other side of the road, police officers confronted them and shot two, then chased others,” he said.

“This area does not require such violence. Let them go to areas where there are bandits. We want officers who are able to safeguard our lives."

Police officers have been conducting an operation on the Delmonte Farm to help the company shield the 18,000 acres that are in Murang’a county.

According to the county police commander Kainga Mathiu, more than 280 suspects had been taken to court by mid-last month.

Kainga said it’s high time residents living near the farm found alternative sources of income.

“We have deployed many police officers for Operation Linda Mananasi and criminals should know that they will be dealt with. Stealing will land them in court,” Kainga had said.