How Murang’a Man’s Ties to Maranjau Cartel Led to His Brutal Death

A 29-year-old broker, Livingstone Mwangi, was found dead near his home in Maranjau village, Murang’a County, with investigators treating the case as a targeted killing.

Mwangi’s body was discovered on 23 December 2025 along a footpath close to his residence. Police in Murang’a South believe he was assaulted elsewhere and later left at the scene. A post-mortem examination at General Kago mortuary confirmed he died from blunt force trauma to the head, which caused a fractured skull and severe blood loss. Injuries to his forearms indicated that he tried to defend himself.

Investigators say the nature of the injuries points to a deliberate and violent attack. They are now reconstructing Mwangi’s final movements and examining his recent associations.

In the days before his death, Mwangi had spoken openly about criminal groups operating in Maranjau and nearby trading centres, including Kiambamba, Igikiro, Kamahuha, Maragua Ridge and Kambiti. He claimed the network involved local businesspeople and government officers, particularly within the security services, and was linked to narcotics, stolen farm produce, livestock theft and the sale of illicit alcohol.

According to acquaintances, Mwangi was last seen on 19 December in the company of individuals suspected to be linked to such activities. His friend, Joseph Karume, said Mwangi had helped arrange mango sales for some of the men and was later seen meeting prison warders at Kiambamba market. Karume said these associations placed him in close contact with people known locally for criminal dealings.

On the night before his death, Mwangi spent several hours at Pisjoh Bar in Maranjau shopping centre. His wife, Naomi Mugure, 21, said he left home early on 22 December, saying he was organising fruit business. Later that evening, he asked her to join him at the bar and gave her money for supper. Mugure said she was uneasy about the people he was with and urged him to leave, but he chose to stay.

She said Mwangi later called to reassure her, telling her he would return home shortly. He did not come back. Early the next morning, Mugure followed the route he would normally take from the bar and found his body lying face up. She said he was cold and unresponsive, with visible injuries consistent with those later confirmed by the post-mortem.

Detectives noted that the body appeared to have been placed deliberately. An inspection of the bar found traces of blood, despite signs that the area had been cleaned. The waitress who had been on duty could not be located. Witnesses told police that Mwangi had argued with another patron earlier in the evening, although the disagreement was said to have been settled at the time.

Police have asked residents to provide information that could assist the investigation. Mwangi’s sister, Esther Waigumo, questioned the appeal, saying authorities were already aware of criminal groups operating openly in the area. She said some bars and cartels were known locally and were allegedly protected by security officers working in government institutions.