Three men have been killed on Del Monte's pineapple plantation in Murang'a county, Kenya, in separate incidents over the past year, despite the company hiring G4S to manage security after prior allegations of violence. The farm, which spans at least 40 sq km and exports produce worth over $100 million annually, brought in 270 G4S guards in March 2024 to replace its in-house security team following a human rights impact assessment that found the operation was linked to multiple human rights harms. Stephen Marubu Kibandi, 34, was shot in the chest by a police officer on 12 August 2025 while raising his hands in surrender, according to a witness. A postmortem report confirmed his death resulted from a perforating chest injury caused by a single gunshot. G4S claims the officer fired during an attack by men wielding machetes and throwing stones, and that a G4S vehicle was set on fire. The company has shared video footage of the incident with Kenya's Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), but declined to release it to the public.
Haron Kame Kibandi, 27, brother of the first victim, died in April 2025 after falling from a motorbike, reportedly struck by stones thrown by G4S guards. Medical scans showed he suffered a traumatic head injury, including a fatal epidural haematoma. Michael Muiruri, 31, was knocked off his motorbike by a G4S pickup truck and later died. Joe Nyutu, senator for Murang'a county, has called for an independent investigation into the violence. G4S denies any wrongdoing, and Kenyan police have expanded their presence at the site by establishing a "critical infrastructure protection unit." Wayne Cooke, former acting managing director of Del Monte Kenya, stated before his departure that safety was the company's top priority. The farm supplies several UK supermarkets, and local workers earn an average of £280 monthly, while pineapple theft has persisted for decades.
Del Monte Kenya promised improved safety after bringing in G4S, yet three men have now died under similar circumstances to earlier killings. The presence of police alongside private guards has not prevented lethal force but may shield those responsible from accountability. When security operations blend state and corporate power, scrutiny becomes harder, not easier. The pattern of deaths continues despite changes meant to stop them.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
