A night guard was murdered last night in cold blood while his colleague was critically injured by criminals who invaded Coffee Outgrowers factory in Tuyobei village, Maraba location, Tinderet subcounty.
According to police, the guards were ambushed by an unknown number of assailants shortly after midnight. The survivor who was found writhing in pain after the ordeal was rushed to Nandi Hills Hospital in critical condition.
Many coffee mills in the area have lately been invaded by thugs and last night’s killing comes days after a similar attack at Chebonet coffee mill, where another security guard was bludgeoned to death, sparking protests over the state of security in the area.
Enraged Chebonet residents later reportedly tracked down two suspects allegedly involved in the attack and lynched them before security agencies could respond.
However, Nandi County Police Commander Peter Kirui said detectives were pursuing major leads and were treating the latest incident as part of a troubling pattern of violent crimes targeting coffee-processing facilities.
“We’re examining the possibility of an organized group taking advantage of the harvest season,” Kirui said. He added that patrols had been intensified and appealed to the community to allow police to handle investigations rather than resort to retaliation.
The area Member of Parliament Julius Melly has called on the security agencies to carry out thorough investigations to unearth the truth behind the attacks as well as ensure the criminals are apprehended.
An elder and resident of Tuyobei village Mr Samuel Kiptoo said families feel unprotected as criminals target night-shift workers. “Our people are dying just trying to earn a living,” Kiptoo said, urging authorities to install more lights and increase security patrols around factories.
Another resident, Mary Chepkemoi, said the repeated attacks has left many jobless men unwilling to take night jobs. “People are scared. We don’t know who will be targeted next,” she said.
County Community Safety Officer Grace Cherono acknowledged that the attacks have shaken public confidence and said a review of security measures around coffee mills is underway.
The injured guard remains hospitalized as police continue investigating both incidents.
By Sammy Mwibanda
