A team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters has taken charge of the investigation into the shooting death of Charles Otieno, which occurred during a standoff over a parcel of land in Njiru. Otieno’s death has highlighted the ongoing conflict between hired gangs and the Kirima family, who are attempting to reclaim over 1,000 acres of land in Njiru, Choka, and parts of Mihango.
Last year, a court declared that the land belonged to the late politician Gerishon Kirima. For decades, Kirima’s family has fought to reclaim this land, which had been seized by cartels, subdivided, and sold to unsuspecting buyers. In light of the court ruling, the family has been working to regularize ownership by encouraging individuals who have built on the land to register with them, aiming to legally recognize the occupiers.
Otieno was part of a group that confronted members of the Kirima team, who were on-site to survey a parcel for which the owner sought registration. He was reportedly struck by a “stray” bullet fired by a licensed gun holder from the surveying team on June 13, 2024. The shooter claimed he acted in self-defense after feeling threatened. Witnesses in the Kamatuto area stated that Otieno’s group had threatened to attack the Kirima team before the situation escalated.
He succumbed to gunshot wounds while receiving treatment in hospitals.
The deceased’s family has accused police off cover-up. “All we want is justice for my son,” said Otieno’s father, George Odongo.
Last Thursday, DCI headquarters indicated that it had taken over the investigations. Kayole Sub County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) Simon Waithaka said the probe will soon be concluded.
“We did our investigations and forwarded our report to DCI headquarters, and are optimistic that the DCI investigations will collaborate our findings,” said Waithaka.
Police said, the regularisation is being frustrated by cartels opposed to the exercise that apart from issuing title deeds to facilitate legitimate ownership, will pave way for proper provision of amenities like water, electricity and roads.
Many homeowners are living in fear after being warned against regularizing the parcels they bought from grabbers who hid behind registered self-groups that encroached on the land and claimed ownership that was overturned by the court.
“There are some individuals who do not want to the regularisation process to succeed, and have been frustrating the exercise through intimidations and threats,” said Waithaka.
