Residents of Gathigiriri village in Kirinyaga County are outraged following the death of a middle-aged man, allegedly beaten to death by Nyumba Kumi elders over accusations of theft. The man, known locally as “Msanii,” reportedly died after being assaulted for allegedly stealing a grass slasher valued at Ksh 100.
According to Peter Kinyua, a resident of the village, the Nyumba Kumi elders took the law into their own hands and severely beat Msanii following the theft allegation. The community is deeply troubled by the incident, with several residents expressing anger over the role and powers granted to the elders. “We don’t need village elders in our village, and we wonder why the Mwea-East sub-county security team has authorized Nyumba Kumi elders in Gathigiriri ward to punish residents,” said Lucy Wambui, a local resident. She added that the elders even used a local chain to handcuff the deceased, an act she described as brutal and unlawful.
The villagers have since demanded that the Nyumba Kumi elders be charged with causing Msanii’s death and warned against the continued use of traditional leaders to mete out punishments. In addition to the fatal beating, the elders are accused of another troubling incident involving the expulsion of a young man from the village over a suspected love affair, raising concerns about abuses of power and extrajudicial punishments.
Mwea-East Sub-county police commander Mohammed Jarso confirmed that investigations into the matter have been launched. Authorities are awaiting the postmortem results to establish the exact cause of death. “We have requested statements from the Nyumba Kumi elders as part of the ongoing investigations. We urge the local community to avoid taking the law into their own hands,” Jarso said, emphasizing the need for due process and lawful handling of disputes.
The incident has reignited debates over the role of Nyumba Kumi elders in community policing and their authority to discipline residents. Many residents in Gathigiriri and beyond are calling for a review of the powers delegated to these elders to prevent further abuses and protect citizens’ rights.
