One man has been hacked to death while several others escaped after being suspected of being members of the outlawed Mungiki sect at the disputed South Ngariama Ranch in Mwea East, Kirinyaga county.

Residents say that over 30 members of the outlawed sect had been living in the scheme where they had forcefully taken over several pieces of land from the locals using threats and intimidation.

Nacy Njoki, a resident of the area said a dispute arose on Wednesday, January 29 when the members wanted to chase one of the residents from his land when the angry residents retaliated and killed one of them while the others escaped.

Njoki said that the attackers were armed with crude weapons and machetes but despite that the residents were able to overpower them.

Francis Njagi, another resident said that after killing one, residents descended on their houses setting on fire seven semi-permanent houses to completely chase them out of the ranch.

William Muthike, another resident said the over 30 sect members were brought to South Ngariama by a man who was pretending to be a land surveyor of the scheme and has been using these people to fake land documents causing confusion in the scheme.

Mwea East Sub-County security committee led by Mwea East Deputy County Commissioner Fred Ayieko visited the area but declined to comment on the matter only said investigations are still ongoing.

The disputes surrounding the sub division of the 17,000 acre South Ngariama Ranch has protracted for years with the issuance of title deeds being derailed due to protracted court cases.