A man was shot dead and two others injured following a violent confrontation over a disputed parcel of land in Syokimau’s Viraj Estate, Machakos County.
According to witnesses, the chaos erupted when two parties clashed at the property on Saturday. In a video circulating online, an unidentified man is seen firing indiscriminately while being chased by residents.
During the commotion, Samuel Muiruri Maina was struck in the chest and died on the spot before the gunman fled.
“I found they had surrounded him outside a car,” said witness Amos Michael. “Suddenly he drew a gun and started shooting in the air.”
The armed suspect was reportedly accompanied by a man identified as Farah, believed to be the owner of the disputed property. Enraged locals later vandalized and set ablaze the vehicle the two arrived in.
Witnesses claim Farah had invited Muiruri to discuss a business matter, but the meeting turned violent. “The gunman and Farah were threatening Sammy near the car,” said Francis Maina, the victim’s brother. “After they fought, that man shot my brother.”
Police say the dispute may have been triggered by a vandalized gate on Farah’s property. However, residents insist it was about land ownership.
Preliminary investigations show Muiruri, an accountant for a local welfare group that sells land, had previously sold the parcel to Farah. Another claimant later emerged with competing ownership documents, prompting Farah to make a second payment to retain the property.
On the day of the shooting, Farah allegedly summoned Muiruri to demand a refund — a confrontation that turned deadly.
Police confirmed that Farah is in custody while a manhunt is underway for the gunman, who remains at large.
