Man shot by police in Mwea scheme demos dies

What you need to know:

  • Kennedy Muvevi Mutua, a masonry student at Makima Youth Polytechnic, died on Sunday night while undergoing treatment at Kerugoya Level Four Hospital in Kirinyaga County.

  • His father, Robert Mutua, demanded the arrest of the perpetrators, accusing police of executing his son.
  • On the fateful day, tens of residents confronted police officers who were providing security for non-residents who were being taken to view parcels of land which they were recently allocated.

A 20-year-old man who was shot during a confrontation between squatters and police in Mwea settlement scheme, Embu county, on April 13, 2018 has died.

Kennedy Muvevi Mutua, a masonry student at Makima Youth Polytechnic, died on Sunday night while undergoing treatment at Kerugoya Level Four Hospital in Kirinyaga County.

He was among the seven people shot during a demonstration in the 44,000-acre scheme.

He was shot in the stomach and the bullet exited through the back, rapturing his intestines.

EXECUTION

His father, Robert Mutua, said his son was critically injured and needed blood transfusion.

He demanded the arrest of the perpetrators, accusing police of executing his son.

Mr Mutua said his son was not part of the demonstrators and was just visiting his brother who is a trader at Muthiru market.

“My son was a peaceful and obedient young man. He didn’t smoke nor take alcohol. It is too unfortunate that he has died having wronged no one. I have also built my house in Mwea scheme and they have allocated the land to someone else. I would like the government to intervene so that I am not evicted,” said the 53-year-old farmer.

TITLE DEEDS

On the fateful day, tens of residents confronted police officers who were providing security for non-residents who were being taken to view parcels of land which they were recently allocated.

The residents, mainly youths, started pelting police with stones, prompting the shooting.

Word had gone round that over 7,000 people who received title deeds would be shown their parcels of land in Gikuru, Mashamba and Muthiru areas.

The exercise was halted by Interior CS, Fred Matiang’i and his Lands counterpart, Farida Karoney.

Former  District Commissioner, Mr Ireri Ndong’ong’i and a group of other people were also attacked as they toured the area.

Mr Ndong’ong’i’s car was set on fire in Mwonjo village, two kilometres from Makima market, Mbeere South sub-county.