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James Maina and Daniel Nuthu who were allegedly beaten to death by a police officer in Kahawa West, Nairobi.
A white pick-up truck loaded with coffins rolled slowly in the background as family members of the late Daniel Nuthu and James Maina spoke in hushed tones.
A few metres from the entrance of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) Funeral Home, the sight was jarring, with the silence heavy.
They were waiting for the post-mortem results of their loved ones.
After what felt like an eternity, Dr Muriuki, the pathologist, emerged from the mortuary entrance and summoned the families for a briefing as they clung to one another.
The families were accompanied by investigating officers from the police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), their lawyer and human rights defenders.
The briefing lasted about 25 minutes, with the grim details of how their relatives died enough to draw sharp breaths from the bereaved.
Daniel Nuthu, 45, and James Maina, 29, had allegedly been beaten to death after being accused of trespassing and stealing maize from a farm in the Kiwanja area of Kahawa West in Nairobi County.
The post-mortem examination revealed that both men died from blunt force trauma to the head and multiple soft-tissue injuries.
Lucy Muthoni displays a photograph of her son James Maina at Kenyatta Memorial Funeral Home in Nairobi on February 3,2026. Maina was alledgedly beaten to death by a police officer at Kahawa West.
The two died last Sunday within a span of four hours after being violently assaulted around noon. One of the alleged attackers is said to be a senior sergeant in the Administration Police Service, well known in the area.
James’ mother, Lucy Muthoni, recounted the events that led to her son’s death. James, who would have turned 30 in July, had been walking past a farm carrying a sack when he was stopped by the accused officer.
“The officer was alone in a car when he ordered James to stop and pour the contents of the sack onto the road. When he saw the maize cobs, he started raining blows and punches on him. Moments later, the farm owner arrived with his caretaker and another man,” Ms Muthoni said tearfully.
Unable to fight
Unknown to her at the time, James’ beating occurred just minutes after a similar assault on Daniel.
Unlike James, Daniel was found inside the farm and dragged out by the owner and his caretaker. The senior police officer later joined them. Unable to fight back, Daniel lay helpless on the ground as the beating continued.
The autopsy confirmed that both men were assaulted while subdued.
“They were beaten as if the attackers knew they could not fight back. There were visible marks from the objects used on their backs, buttocks and behind their thighs. The front of their bodies was almost untouched,” Dr Muriuki explained.
Already dead
This detail explained why first responders failed to immediately grasp the severity of Daniel’s injuries.
“By the time we arrived, Daniel was not bleeding, and we did not realise how badly he had been injured. We found him already dead,” said Bernard Wanguro, a resident and Nyumba Kumi member.
Residents also noticed raw maize and crushed red chilli pepper in Daniel’s mouth, a detail that puzzled many.
The post-mortem examination later confirmed that both men had partially chewed maize and large chunks of red chilli pepper in their stomachs. The food had not been digested, indicating they were found about four hours after the assault.
Kenyatta Memorial Funeral Home in Nairobi on February 3, 2026, where the bodies of Daniel Njoki and James are being kept. The two were allegedly beaten to death by a police officer.
While Daniel’s back bore fewer visible marks, James’ injuries were more pronounced, with darker patches indicating extensive internal bleeding.
Dr Muriuki attributed the difference to James’ pre-existing medical condition.
James suffered from liver cirrhosis and had a bleeding wound on the liver, conditions that impair blood clotting. The damage caused him to bleed more severely than Daniel.
Ms Muthoni later confirmed that her son struggled with alcohol use, corroborating the pathologist’s findings.
What devastated her most was what followed. When James’ attackers realised he was critically injured, they instructed the officer to take him to Kiwanja Police Post and report a theft incident. Officers there declined to book him, saying he required urgent medical care.
James was rushed to St Mukasa Hospital, where doctors said his condition was severe and referred him to the better-equipped KUTRRH.
“The same officer we want arrested told the doctors he was a Good Samaritan who rescued my son from an angry mob. The man who harmed my child pretended to be his saviour. How callous can someone be? Ms Muthoni asked.
Executive Director of Vocal Africa, Hussein Khalid, condemned the killings and expressed concern over the alleged involvement of a police officer.
“That a police officer, someone sworn to protect life, is implicated in such brutality is unthinkable. It shows a total disregard for the sanctity of life,” he said.
The lawyer representing both families, Andrew Ndichu, said the deaths had traumatised the community and justice must be served.
“The right to life is guaranteed by the Constitution and does not end at the hands of police officers. We want investigations expedited and those responsible arrested. At the moment, suspects are still at large,” he said.
The officer allegedly involved is well known locally, with residents saying no one dares cross his farm, which borders the land where the two men were killed.
In mid-January, he was also accused of beating another man, Francis Mulei, 35, to the point of breaking both his legs.
The Nation has learnt that IPOA has launched investigations into the matter.
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