Police in Murang’a are investigating the shooting of a 23-year-old man at a Del Monte farm, an incident that sparked protests along the Thika-Kenol highway on Saturday.
A mob moved to the main highway where the body of Peter Kimani Gitau, a 23-year-old man, was taken and blocked the traffic flow for several minutes.
The mob demanded money and robbed valuables from motorists before police were called.
This sparked speculations that goons had been unleashed to cause chaos in the area.
Police responded and managed to contain the mob.
Police said Gitau allegedly shot at the farm while stealing pineapples at about 4am on August 22, 2026.
Police said a relative of the deceased was informed about the shooting by a member of the public and later rushed to Kenol Hospital, where she found Gitau had been pronounced dead on arrival.
Gitau had been escorted to the hospital by his colleagues after sustaining the gunshot wound.
Police visited the scene and later the hospital, where they found the deceased lying on a hospital bed.
Police said blood was oozing from his chest and that he had visible physical injuries.
The scene was processed by investigators before the body was moved to General Kago Mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.
The shooting triggered protests in Makenji, an area bordering the Del Monte farm.
At about 10am, agitated youths from the area reportedly blocked the Thika-Kenol highway, protesting against the killing and disrupting the flow of traffic.
Police responded to the protests and managed to disperse the youths.
Traffic flow along the busy highway was subsequently restored to normal.
Police officers remained deployed in the area and continued patrolling the highway to prevent further disturbances.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identity of the person who fired the shot and the events leading to Gitau’s death, were under investigation.
Armed police officers have been deployed to the farm to contain cases of stealing of goods which has been on the rise.
This has prompted constant confrontation between the guards and suspected thieves eyeing the products.
Police have vowed to protect the products at large.
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