Family of man assaulted by guards seeks justice

The family of a man who was allegedly assaulted by guards from Delmonte Fruit Processing Company is seeking justice for their kin.

Stephen Mburu, 25, is said to have been clobbered by the guards on Monday night, leaving him for the dead.

Mburu is said to have gone missing on Monday evening and his family launched a physical search for him after reports emerged that five people had been arrested inside the pineapple plantation.

Mburu’s sister Mary Wambui Gicheru, said they traced him on Tuesday evening at around 5pm and rushed him to Thika Level Five Hospital.

She said Mburu was badly injured and had bruises all over his body with his face swollen. She claimed he had biting marks on the body and they suspect he could have been attacked by dogs.

“He was badly injured and we suspect they wanted to kill him” she said.

Ngugi Kamau, a close friend to Mburu who was arrested and released recounted the beating they went through.

“Mburu became unconscious and was carried and dumped at an unknown place but we were able to establish the direction the guards took, as we were taken to the police station at 1am,” said Ngugi.

Gatanga Deputy Police Commander Benson Muchemi said the four suspects were caught stealing the fruits in the company’s farm.

He said they were taken to court and charged with illegal possession of farm produce.

"The suspects were taken to the police station by the guards and charges preferred against them," said Muchemi.

Nominated MCA Elizabeth Mwangi said there was need for a round table meeting between the community leaders and Delmonte to resolve the matter.

“The political wing, administrators and the company should come up with an amicable solution to end the conflict,” said Mwangi.

Last year, four guards were charged with the murder of a youth who was allegedly killed inside the pineapple plantation.