Tension rises as another suspected Mungiki member killed in Kirinyaga

Businesses in the South-Ngariama Ranching Scheme remained closed on Thursday as residents continued to set fire to semi-permanent houses belonging to suspected Mungiki members.

“We set seven semi-permanent houses on fire yesterday. Today, we have set over ten houses on fire. As we speak, more than ten houses have been set ablaze,” one of the residents said.

The angry residents began flushing out members of the outlawed sect yesterday, accusing them of raiding the scheme since last year, where they had forcibly taken over pieces of land.

"We said enough is enough after they started extorting money from us and stealing livestock. We killed one of them, while the others escaped with injuries yesterday. Last night, we killed another one as we continue flushing them out," said Peter Maingi.

According to Mwea-East Sub-county Police Commander Mohammed Jarso, the second body was found last night at around 10 p.m. "I can confirm that two people have been killed in this scheme, and I urge residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands," said the Mwea-East police boss.

Over 500 residents of South-Ngariama have vowed to flush out over 30 members of the outlawed sect, claiming that the sect has taken several pieces of land from them. "The security team is telling us there is a curfew from 7 p.m., but we won't sleep because they might attack us and our families at night," said Joseph Wainaina.