Police-led Del Monte security team accused of brutality after two deaths in five days
On August 8, 31-year-old Michael Murigi died after allegedly being run over by a patrol vehicle. On Tuesday, 34-year-old Stephen Marubu was shot dead.
A police-led security team at Del Monte’s pineapple plantation in Murang’a County is facing serious accusations of using excessive force after two people died in five days.
The plantation has long battled gangs that steal pineapples to sell in nearby towns, but recent incidents have heightened fears that the security operation may be operating outside legal limits.
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The government-backed operation, launched in December last year by then-County Police Commander Kainga Mathiu, aimed to curb theft and protect the plantation after company guards struggled to control violent raids.
“We are dealing with a highly volatile situation where organised gangs armed with crude weapons raid the plantation ready for combat. The company loses an estimated Sh80 million to Sh100 million annually to these activities, with casualties occurring on both sides,” Mathiu said as quoted by the Daily Nation.
Operation Linda Mananasi was rolled out after Del Monte warned that it might close operations due to persistent theft and market challenges.
But the security initiative has come under intense scrutiny following two fatal incidents. On August 8, 31-year-old Michael Murigi died after allegedly being run over by a patrol vehicle. On Tuesday, 34-year-old Stephen Marubu was shot dead.
“My son was simply walking home on a plantation path when he was shot dead,” Marubu’s father, Stephen Kibandi, said.
Police reports offer limited information. One report refers to “a confrontation between youths and security officers leading to firearm use and one fatality” but does not confirm whether Marubu was involved in any gang activity or identify the shooter. Marubu’s widow, Caroline Wanjiku, insists he was innocent.
In Murigi’s case as explained by Daily Nation, police said he was riding as a motorcycle passenger when a Del Monte patrol vehicle hit them from behind, throwing him onto the road, where he was crushed. Rider Brian Kuria Muthoni survived with minor injuries.
“The vehicle had two armed officers and a private guard. They laughed as they sped away, shouting ‘pineapple thieves should die’. We were not thieves, just returning from Makongeni market,” Kuria said.
Residents, angered by the incident, burned another Del Monte patrol vehicle and threatened to storm company offices.
These incidents follow a previous case where four bodies with assault injuries were recovered from River Chania, allegedly after clashes with Del Monte guards. Ithanga/Kakuzi police boss Hussein Bashir called for calm.
“I appeal for peace and patience. As a parent, I share your pain. Now we must investigate and establish culpability,” he said.
Del Monte had partnered with G4S on March 5, 2024, to professionalise its security operations, replacing 250 in-house guards with G4S personnel.
But under the current County Police Commander Benjamin Kimwele, residents say violence persists.
“The Del Monte issue is a complex crisis with international ramifications. Kenya is a rule-of-law country and we must protect lives and property while fostering an environment for both local and international investors,” Kimwele said at a recent security meeting.
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