Charcoal worker shot dead by gunmen in Tana River

A 24-year-old charcoal worker, Robert Mtalii Ekitela, was fatally shot by two armed assailants in Tana River County, Kenya, on Saturday night, September 26, 2026. The attack occurred in Farhareli area, Bangale Sub-County, when Ekitela was working as one of six casual laborers for a woman involved in the charcoal business. The gunmen allegedly opened fire, striking Ekitela once in the neck, leaving the bullet lodged within his body.

A spent 7.62×51mm cartridge casing was found at the scene and secured as evidence for investigators. Ekitela's body was transported to Mwingi Level Four Hospital Mortuary for preservation ahead of a post-mortem examination. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Eric Otieno, a Kenyan-American citizen, who died under police custody at Kitengela police station after being arrested on September 18, 2026.

Otieno, along with two friends, was detained following a nightclub incident where he collapsed inside the facility. Otieno's family claims negligence on the part of the police, stating that he had pre-existing conditions and had not committed any offense at the time of his arrest. According to one of the arrested men, Otieno attempted to clean the police cells in exchange for his release, but his deteriorating condition went undetected by the officers.

A post-mortem examination revealed no external injuries consistent with assault and confirmed Otieno had tuberculosis and a kidney-related illness. These findings will be considered by investigators as they seek to determine whether Otieno was adequately cared for while in custody.