By REBECCA WANGARI
Residents of Murang’a living around Del Monte farm who allege they have been victims of human rights violations have renewed their calls for justice, saying their quest for redress has remained elusive for years.
The residents said that despite reporting the alleged violations to the police and the Government being aware of their grievances, they had received little assistance in pursuing justice.
During a meeting with Vocal Africa, a human rights organisation, the residents narrated the ordeals they said they had endured, with some left with permanent scars and disabilities while others continue to grapple with the loss of their loved ones.
James Kamau, one of the alleged victims, said he was attacked while traversing the farm after travelling to Thika town to purchase maize for his small business.
Kamau said guards confronted him and accused him of carrying stolen goods before allegedly assaulting him with a metal rod.
He said the blow to his leg caused severe internal injuries that eventually resulted in its amputation.
“When I saw the guards approaching me, I didn’t think they would harm me because I was carrying maize, a produce not grown on the farm. But to my surprise, they beat me up for no reason,” said Kamau.
“My life changed for the worse because I am no longer able to do my job as I used to and I rely on my family for the basics,” he added.
Kamau said he was seeking justice and compensation for the loss of his leg, which he attributed to the alleged assault by the guards.
Simon Kamau, another resident, said that in October 2019, he was passing through the farm on a bicycle while transporting charcoal when he encountered guards who allegedly unleashed dogs on him.
He said the dogs bit part of his nose, leaving him with a permanent facial deformity and other health complications.
“I was left with a deformity on my face due to the attack and I would like to get justice for it,” he said.
Dankun Mwangi said that in 2015, he was with his wife cutting grass to feed their livestock when he saw young men being chased by guards.
He said that when the guards reached them, they accused him of helping suspected pineapple thieves hide before allegedly assaulting him and his pregnant wife.
Mwangi claimed the assault resulted in his wife suffering a miscarriage.
“I was hit on the head and was admitted to hospital for a couple of months. My eyesight was affected and I can barely see,” said Mwangi.
Mwangi said he had been working as a local clerk to support his family but was forced to quit because of his deteriorating eyesight.
He said the injury had affected his livelihood and made it difficult for him to pay school fees for his children.
Raskin Oyugi, the operations and networking officer at Vocal Africa, said the organisation intended to document allegations of human rights violations involving people living around Del Monte farm and provide legal representation to victims seeking justice.
Oyugi said the organisation had heard numerous accounts from victims and their families and was calling on more organisations and relevant authorities to join efforts to ensure the allegations were properly investigated.
“We would like more organisations to join us so that we can compel the Government to lead a thorough investigation into the allegations,” Oyugi said.
He said, in addition to physical injuries allegedly suffered by some victims, women had reported cases of sexual assault and alleged that some were forced to strip and walk naked after being found collecting firewood in parts of the farm.
“We have many people with visible injuries on their bodies and there are many more allegations,” he added.
Oyugi said Vocal Africa had documented more than 1,500 cases since 2020 and was willing to provide the information to relevant investigating agencies.
