Isaac Mutuku walking through what remains of his business premises in Machakos county on May 5, 2025./PHOTO: GEORGE OWITIA 42-year-old man in Athi River, Machakos County, is counting heavy losses after his home and business were reduced to ashes in a suspected arson attack over the weekend.
Isaac Mutuku, a tree nursery operator and small-scale livestock farmer, said he lost property worth an estimated Sh400,000 after a group of unidentified individuals—whom he described as hired goons—descended on his property in the early hours of Sunday and set it ablaze.
The incident took place at around 4:00 am at Tuff Foam village within the Sabaki area, located along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.
Isaac Mutuku holding two of his ducks burnt to death at his torched premises in Athi River, Machakos County on May 4, 2025./PHOTO: GEORGE OWITIThe incident was reported to Athi River Police Station and logged under OB number 11/04/05/25 at 6:12 am the same morning.
“I’ve operated from this place for the past 16 years. I’ve raised my children here. This is where I earn my living, growing tree seedlings and rearing animals. Why destroy everything now?” he asked, visibly shaken.
Mutuku’s home and business sit on a parcel of public land—specifically a road reserve at the Nairobi–Namanga road interchange.
Two dogs at a kennel in the scene of incident where structures were torched in Athi River, Machakos county on May 4, 2025./PHOTO: GEORGE OWITIBut things seem to have changed in recent months.
Mutuku believes his troubles began after a confrontation with local government officials, specifically Mlolongo Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Punden Amos and Sabaki Assistant Chief Saulo Muasya.
He accuses the two of threatening to forcibly evict him and of possibly orchestrating the attack that left his property in ruins.
“They summoned me to the ACC’s office in Mlolongo some weeks ago,” Mutuku said. “When I went, we disagreed, and they started issuing threats. Now my home is gone.”
Isaac Mutuku speaking to the press in Machakos./PHOTO: GEORGE OWITITwo surviving dogs and a puppy were seen near a half-burned kennel, while poles were already being erected for a new structure adjacent to the scorched area.
Mutuku claimed the new structure was a church—something ACC Punden later confirmed.
However, both Punden and Muasya have strongly denied the allegations against them.
Speaking jointly in an interview, the two administrators said they had no role in the attack and challenged Mutuku to provide any proof linking them to the incident.
“I did meet Mutuku,” said Punden.
“I asked him to produce authorization from KeNHA (Kenya National Highways Authority) allowing him to operate on the road reserve. He couldn’t. So I told him he had no right to occupy the land. But I did not threaten him, and I certainly didn’t send anyone to torch his property.”
Chief Muasya also distanced himself from the claims, saying he only learned of the fire late on Sunday and that he does not “operate with goons.”
Isaac Mutuku showing what remains of his business premises in Machakos county on May 5, 2025./PHOTO: GEORGE OWITI
Isaac Mutuku shows what remains of his business premises in Machakos county on May 5, 2025./PHOTO: GEORGE OWITI“We don’t have the authority to evict anyone. That power lies with KeNHA,” Punden added. “Some people are trying to take advantage of the confusion over this public land to push out others.”
Mutuku, however, remains unconvinced.
He questioned why he had never faced such threats from previous administrators over the 16 years he’s occupied the area.
“Why now? Why only after these two officers came in?” he asked.
“They’ve disrupted my life and destroyed everything I’ve worked for.”
He also claimed the attackers arrived in large numbers, wielding crude weapons including machetes.
“I was on the property trying to protect my animals when they came. I ran for my life,” he recalled. “They looted and burned everything.”
Mutuku says the incident has left him homeless and stripped of his only source of income. With no land title and no formal business permits, his chances of compensation appear slim. Still, he insists he will not be silenced.
“I want justice. Whoever sent those people to destroy my home must be held accountable,” he said.
As investigations continue, the case adds to growing concerns over land rights, illegal evictions, and alleged abuse of power by local officials in the rapidly urbanizing areas of Machakos County.
