One killed, two injured in Syokimau land dispute shooting

A man was shot dead and two others injured following a violent land dispute in Syokimau’s Viraj Estate, Machakos County.

According to witnesses, the incident unfolded during a confrontation between two parties over a contested piece of land. In a video now under investigation by police, an unidentified man is seen firing indiscriminately as he is pursued by residents.

In the chaos, a bullet struck Samuel Muiruri Maina in the left side of his chest, killing him instantly before the gunman fled the scene.

“I found they had surrounded him outside a car,” recalled Amos Michael, a witness. “Suddenly he drew a gun and started shooting in the air.”

The shooter is said to have been in the company of a man identified as Farah, who allegedly owns the disputed property. Enraged residents later vandalized and set ablaze the vehicle the two had used to get to the scene.

Witnesses told Citizen TV that Farah had invited Muiruri to discuss a business deal. However, the meeting quickly turned violent when Farah and the armed man allegedly attacked Muiruri.

“The gunman and Farah were threatening Sammy near the car,” said Francis Maina, the victim’s brother. “I don’t know the one with the gun, but after they fought, that man shot my brother.”

Eugene Kadiri, another eyewitness, said the area was thrown into panic moments before Muiruri collapsed. “There was a lot of commotion,” he said. “Within minutes, I saw Sammy on the ground. Someone from a nearby hardware offered to rush him to hospital, but he didn’t make it.”

Following the shooting, angry locals attempted to lynch Farah and later stormed the SNP Mavoko Police Station, where he had been taken into custody.

Police said the confrontation may have started over a vandalized gate leading into Farah’s property. However, residents insist the dispute was over ownership of the land itself.

Investigations indicate that Muiruri, who served as an accountant for a local welfare group selling land in the area, had sold the parcel to Farah years earlier. When another claimant later emerged with ownership documents, Farah reportedly paid again for the same land to retain his developments.

On the day of the shooting, Farah is said to have called Muiruri to demand reimbursement of his earlier payment, sparking the fatal altercation.

Police confirmed that Farah remains in custody as the search continues for the gunman, who is still at large.