- Violence erupted in South Ngariama, Mwea-East, as angry residents killed a suspected Mungiki member and set seven houses on fire in a fierce confrontation over land disputes
- Armed with crude weapons, over 500 residents overpowered the alleged sect members, forcing them to flee as one was brutally hacked to death and his body set ablaze
- Authorities have launched investigations into the deadly clash, while residents remain adamant that they will not allow the outlawed group to return
A deadly confrontation erupted in South Ngariama, Mwea-East, as enraged residents clashed with suspected members of the outlawed Mungiki sect, killing one and setting seven semi-permanent houses ablaze.
The violent standoff unfolded when locals, fed up with alleged land grabs and extortion, decided to take matters into their own hands, forcing over 30 suspected sect members to flee for their lives.
According to eyewitnesses, tensions reached a boiling point when the sect members allegedly attempted to evict a resident from his land.
What started as a standoff quickly turned deadly as over 500 furious residents armed themselves with crude weapons and descended on the suspected militia.
Despite being armed, the Mungiki group was outnumbered and overwhelmed, leading to the brutal hacking of one of their members, whose body was later set on fire in a chilling act of vengeance.
“We don’t want them here. They have been terrorizing us, extorting money, and forcefully grabbing our land. Enough is enough,” said Peter Gichira, a resident who participated in the attack.
See Also:
1: Miraa Vehicle Kills Two Children in Horrific Mwea-Embu Highway Hit-and-Run, Driver Flees
2: Kirinyaga Church Elder Who Was Shot by Bees While Leading Funeral Narrates Ordeal
Another local, William Muthike, claimed the sect members were brought into the area by a man masquerading as a land surveyor, fueling land disputes and creating confusion in the scheme.
As the situation escalated, residents torched seven houses believed to have been occupied by the sect members, sending a clear warning that they would not allow their return.
The dramatic expulsion comes years after the group was initially chased away in 2008 following a reign of terror in the region.
Authorities, led by Mwea-East Deputy County Commissioner Fred Ayieko, have remained tight-lipped on the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, police officers arrived at the scene and took the charred remains to the mortuary, but tensions remain high as residents vow to keep the sect at bay.
With fears of possible retaliation, the community now awaits action from security forces to prevent further bloodshed in the troubled area.
