Business was disrupted in the Karanji area, Limuru, after residents stormed the streets to protest the delayed arrest of an Assistant Chief they accuse of killing a man.
Armed with twigs and placards, the agitated residents took to the streets, calling for action against the chief. They marched to his house, demanding his immediate arrest.
According to reports, the victim was allegedly caught stealing maize on the chief's farm before he was attacked and killed.
The residents questioned why the suspect was killed instead of being arrested and prosecuted.
"When you steal something small, the police will come for you very quickly, but now, the assistant chief has killed, he is yet to be arrested, and the body has been taken to the mortuary quickly," one resident lamented.
The victim's body was discovered by his wife, who found his body lying in the farm.
''I was shocked to find him lying dead there. What is so grave that he did that [warranted] his death? From the time we started living together, this is the first time he is being accused of theft,'' the distressed widow said.
The area Deputy Commissioner confirmed the incident and assured the residents that investigations are ongoing adding that the assistant chief has since been suspended from his duties.
''The first thing I did when I was informed of the incident was request him not to report to work and lock his office to allow investigations. He will not be allowed to render services until investigations are done,'' the deputy commissioner confirmed.
The suspect's body was taken to Tigoni mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem analysis.
The developments come at a time when officers have been put on the spot for using excessive force on Kenyans, including on those in custody.
The most recent case of Julie Njoki, who died after a brutal beating while in police custody, has sent shock waves among Kenyans who have so far experienced heightened cases of such violence.
