Man dies after mob beating over avocado theft in Kiambu County

Boy shot and killed by friend in Laikipia ranch were hunting hyena, officials say

Police in Kiambu County have launched investigations into the death of a 39-year-old man who allegedly succumbed to injuries after being assaulted over claims that he had stolen avocados.

The deceased, identified as Stephen Githanga Mwangi, was reportedly accused of stealing 17 avocados from a neighbour’s farm in Kamwangi, Gatundu North Sub-County.

According to police, Mwangi was allegedly apprehended by the complainant and subjected to a severe beating together with two other men.

The suspects later escorted him to Kamwangi Police Station, where a complaint of theft of farm produce was lodged.

Due to the injuries he had sustained, police instructed the complainant to take the suspect to Igegania Level 4 Hospital for treatment. He was attended to and discharged, although he reportedly appeared weak.

After being escorted back home, Stephen died a short while later.

Police officers from Kamwangi Police Station and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Gatundu North visited and processed the scene. The body was found with fresh bruises on the back and left hand.

The body was moved to General Kago Mortuary pending a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.

Investigations are ongoing, with detectives seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the assault and subsequent death.

And police in Machakos County have launched investigations following the discovery of a suspected human body part in Kathiani Sub-County.

The grim find was reported on Sunday afternoon after residents discovered what appeared to be a human leg lying within a homestead at Kavalo Village.

According to police, officers from Kathiani Police Station led by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), together with detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), visited the scene and confirmed the presence of the suspected human body part.

The area was secured and processed by investigators as forensic examinations commenced to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances under which the body part ended up at the scene.

Authorities have not yet determined whether additional body parts may be located elsewhere, and investigations are ongoing.

The recovered limb was moved to Kathiani Level IV Hospital Mortuary pending further forensic analysis and identification.

Police have appealed to members of the public with information that may assist in the investigation to report to the nearest police station.