Athi River clash leaves scores injured, homes demolished

Police in Athi River, Machakos County, are investigating an incident in which scores of people were reportedly injured, a bulldozer torched, and at least eight houses demolished on the outskirts of the town.

Athi River South Sub-County Police Commander David Kandie said seven people had been arrested and are in lawful police custody following the incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Kandie said a bus was destroyed and several people sustained serious injuries during the attack.

“We rescued eight men who sustained injuries during the attack and rushed them to Machakos Level 5 Hospital, where they were admitted,” Kandie told the Star at his office in Athi River on Tuesday.

He said those seriously injured included men who were reportedly at the scene.

All arrested suspects were reportedly among those admitted to the hospital and were taken into custody immediately after their discharge.

One injured person remains in Machakos Level 5 Hospital with serious injuries sustained during the incident.

Photos and videos seen by the Star reportedly show armed youth clashing at the scene in darkness, with some hacked using machetes.

In one video, a suspect allegedly confessed that they had been hired to carry out the demolitions.

Kandie said the 42 men had reportedly been promised Sh1,000 each to complete the task.

They were allegedly recruited from a nightclub while watching a football match.

“I come from Kawangware. We were watching a football match at a club when someone said whoever wanted a job for Sh1,000 should join him. I chose to go for the money, and we were transported to Athi River, where we conducted the demolitions before we were confronted by another group, leading to the clash and injuries,” one suspect claimed.

All the suspects are reportedly held at Athi River Police Station and are expected to be arraigned at Mavoko Law Courts on Wednesday.

Kandie said the driver who transported the suspected group reportedly fled the scene but was later arrested and is in custody.

He added that the suspects claimed they did not know the nature of the job they were hired to perform and that most did not know each other.