Kingpins of cartels leave the city after mysterious killings in property sector

At least five leaders of vicious gangs linked to the invasion of private land in Nairobi’s Eastlands are on the run following the recent mysterious gangland-style killings of people in the property sector.

At least two have moved out of the city with their families while one has relocated to his rural home in Nyanza. Another is believed to be in hiding in the city, according to investigations by Sunday Nation.

This comes even as it emerged that a businessman killed in his house in Ngong on October 23 had been contracted to construct feeder roads in the disputed 134-acre piece land in Karen.

Mr Nicholas Njeru of Konare Construction Company was killed at 8 p.m. when two gunmen raided his house in Olepolos. Whether his death was linked to his business or was an ordinary robbery remains a subject of speculation. 

Already, four land dealers — whose links with the land-grabbing gangs we were unable to establish — have been killed within a month in brazen shootings.

Tension is palpable in the epicentre of the invasions in Ruai, Njiru and Mihang’o areas.

On Sunday, Mr Jared Odek Ochoko (also known as Ochok), who was being monitored by the Nairobi County Security Committee in matters linked to land, will be buried at Kakwajuok village in Kendu Bay, Homa Bay County. He operated between Chokaa and Obama areas on Kangundo Road and the Ruai-Ruiru bypass.

Mr Ochok met his death on October 4 on Manyanja Road in Umoja after his car was sprayed with bullets in a daylight attack. Two cars blocked the vehicle he was driving in and fired at least 35 bullets, killing the land dealer and his mechanic, but the driver survived. No arrests have been made.

Police suspected that he was killed by rival land dealers in the area or by people who were not happy with his activities. Buru Buru CID boss Henry Kiambati said several leads were being pursued. 

“It was murder, and that is why we are taking it seriously to ensure there is justice. We urge his people to be calm as we hunt down the killers,” he said, denying the police were involved.

Mr Ochok’s family said he had been threatened because of his work, and some of his associates point fingers at an alleged police killer squad working with influential individuals.

A week earlier, Mr Onesmus Mutinda, who police said worked as a surveyor, was killed on the Ruiru-Kiambu bypass.

“He got a call on September 27 to receive some cash at a popular joint on Kiambu Road. He did not know it was a trap,” a friend, who did not want to be named, said.

Gang members driving in two cars sped to the side of Mr Mutinda’s car, pushed it to the roadside and sprayed him with bullets before speeding away towards Ruiru.

UNDER INVESTIGATION

A senior police officer told Sunday Nation that Mutinda was under investigation over several reports linked to land grabbing in Nairobi’s Eastlands, mostly in Dandora and Ruai.

He was one of the surveyors who worked on the controversial 1,600-acre Ruai squatters’ settlement scheme in the sewage area. The squatters have been claiming they were given the land by the former City Council of Nairobi. The land has also been sold to powerful individuals, among them the wealthy husband of a TV personality. One of the sellers of the land is now in hiding.

On Monday last week, Mr Alfred Njau, who owned a property firm in Nairobi and worked as a senior manager at an insurance company, was shot eight times as he travelled with his family on the Ruiru-Ruai bypass. His wife escaped death but sustained gunshot wounds.

Two weeks ago, Mr Stephen Mwangi, a land dealer, was shot 13 times after leaving the funeral meeting of Mr Oliver Karango, who was killed by police after he reportedly attempted to enter the Kilimani home of National Land Commission chairman Mohamed Swazuri.

Mr Karango was killed by an administration policeman guarding the compound. One suspect escaped, reportedly with gunshot wounds. Sources at City Hall say that Mr Mutinda, Mr Njau and Mr Mwangi were close friends.

Police spokesperson Gatiria Mborokion Saturday said they had not arrested anyone in connection with the killings.