Kenyan police have initiated an investigation into the suspected killings of four men at a Del Monte pineapple farm situated near Nairobi. The inquiry comes months following a media report that alleged security guards employed at the same farm were involved in the killing and assault of villagers found trespassing.
The friends and relatives of the latest victims are urging government intervention to shed light on the circumstances that led to the four men being discovered in a river approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from Nairobi.
Del Monte, a multinational food company, stated that its local branch is collaborating with authorities and pointed to rampant organized crime related to pineapple theft in the region.
According to Del Monte’s statement, security footage showcasing the men attempting to steal pineapples reveals no wrongdoing on the company’s part. Instead, it depicts the alleged thieves fleeing towards the river while attempting to evade security guards.
An earlier investigation conducted by Britain’s Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the Guardian newspaper presented evidence suggesting that security guards employed by Del Monte had fatally harmed and severely assaulted villagers suspected of trespassing on the Kenyan pineapple farm. In response, Del Monte announced it had initiated internal investigations, complemented by an independent review conducted by a specialist human rights consultancy.
David Kainga Mathiu, the Muranga county police commander, confirmed the launch of investigations into the killings at the Del Monte pineapple farm. However, as of now, no suspects have been apprehended, he informed Reuters.
Following a five-day search, independent broadcaster Citizen TV reported the discovery of two bodies in the river on Sunday and an additional two on Monday.
Rhoda Wayua, speaking to Citizen TV, expressed her distress upon finding the first body and subsequently discovering the second, identified as her son.
Peter Kamanzi, another relative, claimed that at least one of the victims displayed visible injuries that might have contributed to his death.
The situation continues to unfold as authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths at the Del Monte pineapple farm, stirring community concern and demanding accountability.