Autopsy Shows Two Men Died After Being Forced to Swallow Raw Maize and Pepper

Shock and outrage are mounting following the deaths of James Muraga Maina and Daniel Nudhu Njoki, who were allegedly killed over claims of theft at a maize farm in Kahawa West.

Investigators have identified a senior Administration Police officer, a sergeant, and the farm owner as prime suspects in the case.

Postmortem results indicate the two men were subjected to a violent assault before their deaths.

According to the postmortem findings, the victims sustained severe injuries consistent with blunt force trauma.

“The autopsy report has now confirmed that the deceased was struck on the head with a blunt object and sustained multiple soft tissue injuries due to blunt force trauma consistent with assault. It further concludes that the two were forced to swallow uncooked maize and red and green pepper, approximately 1,000 millilitres,” a family member, Agnes Nthenya Mutisya, said.

Vocal Africa CEO and activist Hussein Khalid added, “They had undigested food that included whole maize and whole green peppers, indicating they were most probably forced to swallow them.”

“The fact that it had not been digested means they died soon after. The families are calling for justice.”

The findings have intensified calls for accountability, with families and activists describing the deaths as deliberate and inhumane.

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Events Leading to the Deaths

The two men, aged 29 and 45 respectively, are alleged to have trespassed onto a maize farm in Kahawa West before being confronted by the farm owner.

Grieving relatives gathered on Sunday, February 1, 2026, alongside their lawyers, officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and human rights activists, demanding answers over the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“It is alleged that after realising James was in critical condition, the officer took him to the police station, where he was advised to rush him to hospital.

“However, upon arrival at Kenyatta Hospital, James was pronounced dead on arrival,” said Nyumba Kumi elder Bernard Wanguru.

Pattern of Alleged Abuse

The case has also drawn further scrutiny after another individual accused the same officer of assault.

Francis Nzau, a construction worker, claims the officer previously beat him.

“I was passing through an area down here called Kiwanja when I came across two officers. They started saying that a wheelbarrow and a drum had been stolen.

“They beat me until I admitted to something I didn’t even know, just so they would leave me alone,” Nzau stated.

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Calls for Justice and Accountability

Family lawyer Andrew Ndichu emphasized the constitutional implications of the case.

“The right to life is enshrined in the Constitution, and it does not end at the hands of police officers,” he noted.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Kasarani unit have recorded statements from four witnesses.

The officer at the centre of the investigation has also recorded his statement, maintaining that he was acting as a Good Samaritan attempting to assist the two men.

As investigations continue, fresh concerns have been raised about accountability within the police service and the protection of civilians by officers sworn to uphold the law.

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A photo of police land cruiser in a crime scene
PHOTO/NPS/X