Man found dead after alleged mob attack over avocado theft in Murang’a

A 36-year-old man was found dead in his house in Kandara Sub-county, Murang’a County, in an incident suspected to be linked to mob justice.

The deceased, identified as Patrick Wairuga Maina, was discovered lifeless on his bed on April 13, 2026, shortly after midnight.

Police visited the scene and established that the man had sustained deep cut wounds on both legs, believed to have been inflicted using a panga.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased may have been attacked by a person known to him after he was allegedly caught stealing avocado fruits.

Authorities say that after the assault, the injured man was transported home on a motorcycle, where he was received by his sister and taken into his house. He was later found dead.

The scene was processed and documented by investigators, and the body was moved to Githumu AIC Mission Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Cases of mob lynching have been on the rise in various parts of the country amid campaigns to address the menace. Police discourage mob lynching and term it criminal. Some of the victims, according to the police, were framed up and killed over among others land disputes.

Police are investigating the incidents.

And a 44-year-old man died days after allegedly being assaulted by his stepbrother in a dispute over land boundaries in Kabras East Sub-county, Kakamega County.

The deceased, identified as Patrick Daniel Peter, is reported to have sustained injuries during the incident on April 8, 2026.

The assault was reported to police at Matsakha Police Station on the same day and the victim sought medical treatment at a local hospital and was later discharged.

However, his condition deteriorated while at home, leading to his death on April 12, 2026.

Family members moved the body to Chimoi Hospital Mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a post-mortem examination.

Police visited the mortuary and confirmed the incident. The case is being treated as a suspected murder linked to a land boundary dispute, with investigations ongoing.

Police said such murder incidents have been on the rise in villages amid efforts to solve them.