The death of James Ndung'u, shot by police on July 23, 2026, in Maragua town, Murang'a County, is shrouded in controversy due to three conflicting accounts of the incident.

• Police claim Ndung'u was a criminal demanding a Sh100,000 ransom after kidnapping a teacher near Maragua Police Station.
• Independent witnesses suggest the three men, including Ndung'u, were smoking bhang.
• The deceased's family alleges Ndung'u was targeted by police, having recently served a 10-year sentence for robbery.
• A post-mortem revealed Ndung'u died from severe injuries caused by a single gunshot, likely from a high-velocity rifle like a G3 or AK47.