Man shot dead over land ownership row in Katani, Machakos
By Aloys Michael, October 12, 2025One individual was shot dead in Katani, Machakos County, on Sunday, October 12, 2025, after a dispute over a parcel of land turned violent.
The victim, identified as Samuel Muruiri Maina, was shot dead by an unnamed individual in what witnesses state was a talk that escalated into a physical confrontation.
In a viral video seen by K24 digital, a gunman can be seen running away from an irate crowd while threatening to fire at them.
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According to Amos Michael, an eyewitness, the armed man was part of a duo that was intimidating the land broker in the area, prompting action from a crowd who noticed the commotion.
“I found them intimidating, the land broker using a weapon. When they saw the crowd, one of the people started shooting in the air,” he narrated.
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According to Eugene Kadiri, another eyewitness, said that after the situation turned violent, the gun holder fired several shots in the air to attempt to disperse the crowd, who were intent on holding him accountable for the death of the land broker.
“We heard gunshots for several minutes. Then we saw Sammy arriving on a motorbike. He was badly injured,” Kadiri said.
It has since been established that the video was taken shortly after the deceased, a land broker in the area, was shot dead.
A good Samaritan offered his pickup to rush the victim to the hospital, but he eventually succumbed to his injuries. His death has since sparked violent protests from area locals who witnessed the whole commotion.
The victim‘s brother has since decried foul play, since the land broker is said to have been summoned by unnamed individuals for discussions with no knowledge that they were armed.
While the gunholder and his accomplice fled the scene, irate residents torched the vehicle used to get to Katani in protest.
Police have since been able to link the dispute to a landowner in the area, who is said to have been behind the intimidation attempts on the land broker.
The person of interest has since been taken into custody and is being held at the Mavoko Police Station as investigations continue.