Authorities are looking into the suspected murder of four individuals accused of trespassing on a Del Monte pineapple farm, according to a statement from a regional commissioner on Thursday.
The four men were reported missing, and two bodies were discovered on Sunday, with another two found a day later in a river about 50 kilometers from Nairobi.
Relatives of the victims, speaking to local station Citizen TV, mentioned that some of the bodies exhibited signs of injuries, suggesting the possibility of physical abuse.
Patrick Mukuria, Murang’a County Commissioner, confirmed that they are “investigating the alleged murders” but did not provide further details.
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Del Monte, a US multinational specializing in fruits and vegetables, stated that CCTV footage indicated the four men had tried to steal pineapples from the farm.
The footage, according to the company, “shows no foul play on Del Monte’s part” and depicts the individuals attempting to flee security guards by running towards a river after dropping bags of stolen pineapples.
The company is cooperating with Kenyan authorities in the ongoing investigation, and autopsies are currently being conducted.
Del Monte also highlighted the prevalence of organized crime, particularly related to pineapple theft, in the area.
The company, which employs 6,000 people in Kenya, has faced accusations of abuse and violence in the past.
In a July investigation by The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, guards at another Del Monte farm were accused of running over two teenagers suspected of stealing pineapples.
On Tuesday, Kenya’s defeated deputy presidential candidate, Martha Karua, urged police and human rights groups to intervene in the recent deaths, stating, “For how long shall we let this gross violation of the right to life be perpetuated.”
