A 21-year-old man was killed in a mob justice incident at South Ngariama Ranching Scheme in Murinduko Ward, Mwea-East Sub-County, Kirinyaga County. The victim, identified as Dennis Muriuki, was attacked by an enraged member of the public after being accused of stealing miraa, a stimulant crop widely grown in the region.
According to residents, miraa and muguka theft has been on the rise, with farmers reporting repeated losses. Muriuki, whose father operates a small shoemaking business at Ikulungu Shopping Centre, was reportedly found with 200 grams of miraa worth less than Ksh 200 before the fatal attack.
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While some locals claim Muriuki had a history of stealing miraa and muguka, others criticized the excessive violence used against him.
“It is painful that a young man lost his life over such a small amount of miraa. He should have looked for honest work,” said a resident identified as Mr. Njogu.
The rising market value of muguka — now fetching up to Ksh 800 per kilogram — is believed to be fueling more theft cases in the area, leading to heightened tensions between farmers and suspected thieves.
The incident came just a day after another case of mob justice in Diambo village, Ngurubani, where a 41-year-old man accused of stealing chickens was also lynched by residents.
Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso confirmed Muriuki’s death, describing him as a known repeat offender.
“He had been arrested several times for theft-related cases in South Ngariama. However, we urge the public to report criminals to police instead of taking the law into their own hands,” Jarso emphasized.
Police have removed the body to a local mortuary, and investigations into the killing are ongoing.
Authorities continue to warn residents that mob justice is unlawful and undermines due process, stressing the need for community members to allow law enforcement to handle crime.
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