Machakos, October 13, 2025 —
A violent land dispute in Syokimau’s Viraj Estate turned deadly on Sunday after a man was shot dead and two others sustained injuries during a confrontation between rival groups.
Witnesses say chaos erupted when a heated argument over ownership of a disputed parcel of land escalated into gunfire.
In a video circulating on social media, a man armed with a pistol is seen firing several shots as residents chase him down the road.
“I found that they had surrounded him outside a car,” said witness Amos Michael. “Suddenly, he drew a gun and started shooting in the air.”
Gunman Flees Scene After Fatal Shooting
According to preliminary police reports, the shooter was accompanied by a man identified only as Farah, who allegedly claims ownership of the contested land.
Moments after the shooting, enraged residents vandalized and set ablaze the vehicle the duo had used to reach the scene. The mob then attempted to storm Mavoko Police Station, where officers had taken Farah for his own safety.
Police confirmed that Samuel Muiruri Maina, an accountant for a local land welfare group, died instantly after being shot in the chest. Two other victims were rushed to Machakos Level 5 Hospital for treatment and are said to be in stable condition.
For more updates on crime and justice, visit sauce.co.ke/news.
Dispute Over Land Ownership
Investigations by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) suggest the conflict may have begun over a vandalized gate leading to Farah’s property. However, residents insist that the disagreement stemmed from a long-standing ownership wrangle.
According to court filings reviewed by The Judiciary of Kenya, Muiruri had sold the parcel to Farah several years ago. Later, another claimant surfaced with separate ownership documents, prompting Farah to pay again to secure his developments on the land.
On the day of the shooting, Farah reportedly called Muiruri to demand reimbursement for his earlier payment. What started as a confrontation quickly spiraled into violence.
The National Police Service (NPS) has since launched a manhunt for the armed suspect, who fled the scene after firing multiple rounds.
Police Call for Calm as Probe Continues
Machakos County Police Commander Isaac Thuranira urged residents to remain calm, warning against mob justice.
“We are following strong leads on the gunman’s whereabouts,” Thuranira said. “We ask the public to allow investigators to complete their work.”
The Interior Ministry has previously flagged Syokimau and Mavoko as land conflict hotspots, following a rise in fraud and multiple land title disputes.
A 2024 UN-Habitat report on urban land conflicts highlighted that more than 60% of property disputes in Machakos and Nairobi counties stem from double allocations and fraudulent sales.
For background on Kenya’s land ownership challenges, visit Kenya Law Reports, Land Development and Governance Institute, and Transparency International Kenya.
Farah Remains in Custody
As of Monday morning, police confirmed that Farah remains in custody at Mavoko Police Station as investigations continue. Detectives are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby buildings to help identify the shooter.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the rising number of fatal land disputes across Kenya. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has urged authorities to accelerate reforms under the National Land Commission (NLC) to prevent such tragedies.
More reports on ongoing investigations are available on sauce.co.ke/crime.
