Mungiki Leader Killed

The spokesman of the outlawed Mungiki sect, Njuguna Gitau, has been shot dead.

Mr Gitau was shot in the head on Nairobi's Luthuli Avenue, according to witnesses at the scene. They said he had been walking on the street with four men when an argument broke out. Two of them drew pistols and shot him before the attackers fled the scene.

Mr Gitau was in charge of the Kenya National Youth Alliance which is the political wing of the Mungiki.

His death comes barely two days after the leader of the outlawed sect Maina Njenga claimed his life (Njenga's) was in danger.

Mr Njenga said that he had received death threats via text messages and phone calls after indicating he would disband the movement.

He is expected to record a statement with law enforces on Friday. He was not immediately available for comment.

Witnesses said he was seen arguing with four men before two of them drew pistols and shot him in the chest.

“I saw a commotion and I thought they were city council askaris. The one who was shot tried to cling to a door and started screaming. Two of them shot him in the chest while the other two shot in the air to scare away people,” a witness said.

Another witness said that he saw the four men argue but before he could even comprehend what was happening, he heard gunshots and later saw the man (Gitau) lying dead.

“I heard him pleading with the four men: “Please don’t kill me.... then suddenly gunshots rent the air. He was shot three times,” the witness said.

Central Divisional Police chief Richard Muguai who led a team of officers to the scene said they have launched investigations into the killing.