A security operation led by the National Police Service at Del Monte’s pineapple plantation in Murang’a County is under fire after two people died within five days, raising concerns that the team may be acting as an extrajudicial enforcement unit.

The plantation has long struggled with gangs stealing pineapples to sell in nearby towns, but recent reports suggest police action may be worsening the crisis.

The operation, announced in December last year by then-County Police Commander Kainga Mathiu, was intended to address the company’s ongoing security challenges after internal and private guards failed to curb theft and violence.

“We are dealing with a highly volatile situation where organised gangs armed with crude weapons raid the plantation ready for combat. The company loses an estimated Sh80million to Sh100 million annually to these activities, with casualties occurring on both sides,” Mr Mathiu said.

Operation Linda Mananasi was launched after Del Monte warned the government it might halt operations due to persistent criminal activity and market pressures.

However, two recent incidents have brought scrutiny to the police-led team. On August 8, 31-year-old Michael Murigi died after security officers allegedly ran him over with a patrol vehicle. On Tuesday, 34-year-old Stephen Marubu was shot dead.

“My son was simply walking home on a plantation path when he was shot dead,” said Stephen Kibandi, Marubu’s father.

A police report vaguely mentions “a confrontation between youths and security officers leading to firearm use and one fatality,” without clarifying Marubu’s involvement or identifying the shooter.

Marubu’s widow, Caroline Wanjiku, insists her husband was innocent.

In Murigi’s case, police reported that he was riding as a motorcycle passenger when a Del Monte patrol vehicle struck them from behind, throwing him onto the road where he was crushed. The motorcycle rider, Brian Kuria Muthoni, survived with minor injuries.

“The vehicle had two armed officers and a private guard. They laughed as they sped away, shouting ‘pineapple thieves should die’. We were not thieves, just returning from Makongeni market," Kuria said.

Outraged residents subsequently burned another Del Monte patrol vehicle and threatened to storm company offices.

These deaths followed a separate incident where four bodies with assault injuries were recovered from River Chania, reportedly after clashes with Del Monte guards. Ithanga/Kakuzi police boss Hussein Bashir appealed for calm. “I appeal for peace and patience. As a parent, I share your pain. Now we must investigate and establish culpability,” he said.

Del Monte had previously sought to improve its security operations by partnering with G4S on March 5, 2024, replacing 250 in-house guards with G4S personnel. Yet, under the current County Police Commander Benjamin Kimwele, residents claim that excessive force continues.

“The Del Monte issue is a complex crisis with international ramifications. Kenya is a rule-of-law country and we must protect lives and property while fostering an environment for both local and international investors,” Mr Kimwele said during a recent security meeting.