Two killed in confrontation over disputed land in Tigania

Two men were killed during a violent confrontation at a disputed parcel of land in Mikinduri area, Tigania, Meru County, police have confirmed.

According to police, the two were part of a group that had reportedly been engaged to assist in evicting a woman from the land when a confrontation erupted with residents on January 28.

Residents told police that the eviction attempt was unlawful, citing a pending court case over ownership of the land.

They stated that the dispute had not been resolved and no court orders had been issued to facilitate an eviction.

Police said residents also claimed they had received information suggesting that the group intended to burn down the woman’s house.

During the confrontation, members of the group were armed with bows and arrows and attempted to defend themselves, police added.

Two men from the group were fatally injured after being stoned.

Their bodies were later recovered from a nearby tea plantation and taken to the mortuary pending postmortem examinations.

A team of detectives has since visited the scene as investigations into the killings continue.

Police noted that incidents involving the use of hired groups to carry out evictions in land disputes have been reported in various parts of the country.

In some cases, police said, such evictions are conducted without valid court orders, leading to violence and injuries.

Authorities said they are investigating several such incidents, some of which have resulted in serious injuries to both those carrying out the evictions and those being evicted.

Property valued at millions of shillings has also been destroyed in related disputes, prompting renewed calls for action to address the trend.

In a separate incident, an 80-year-old man died in a fire at his home in Githinguri area, Murang’a County.

Police identified the deceased as Elizaphan Macharia.

He was asleep in his house when the fire broke out on Wednesday. The cause of the fire had not been established by the time of reporting.

His remains were taken to the mortuary pending an autopsy.

Meanwhile, a postmortem examination on the body of a secondary school student who collapsed and died while in class confirmed that he had pneumonia.

The Form Three student collapsed at his desk on January 28, 2026, prompting alarm at the school. Police were called to document the incident and assist with investigations.

The autopsy found that the pneumonia was accompanied by bleeding in the lungs. Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances that may have led to the condition.