Kasarani Murder: Man Shot Dead in Car, Suspect Claims Accidental Discharge

NAIROBI, Kenya – A 24-year-old man, Joel Maina, was fatally shot in the head at close range in the Kasarani area of Nairobi on Wednesday night. The incident, which occurred in the Thome area, involved a man identified as Peter Lang'at, who is now in police custody. According to police reports, Maina was seated in the driver's seat of a Land Rover Defender at a petrol station when he was shot. The vehicle, stained with blood, has been impounded at the Kasarani Police Station as a key exhibit in the ongoing investigation. During interrogation, Peter Lang'at claimed that he was a friend of the deceased and that his gun accidentally discharged during a commotion between them. He reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident. Kasarani Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer Alois Mboya stated that the bullet entered through the left side of Maina's head and exited on the right. Witnesses at the scene confirmed that Maina was known to conduct informal liquor deliveries in the area and often spent time at a nearby boda-boda stage near a liquor store where a close friend worked. The liquor store has denied formally employing him but acknowledged him as a familiar face. Maina's mother, Caroline Naserian, expressed her devastation and called for justice for her son. "I want justice for Austin," she stated, adding, "He was a young man who would never hurt a fly. But he has to die in a bullet. For what reason?" Maina's lawyer echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that a 24-year-old boy should not have to die. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the liquor store, a nearby chemist, and the petrol station to reconstruct the events leading to the fatal shooting. Peter Lang'at remains in custody as investigations continue.