Residents of Nduma village in Kikuyu Constituency were left in shock after a farmer unearthed a live 80mm mortar artillery shell believed to have been left behind during Kenya’s colonial period.
The explosive device was discovered by David Muiruri on Thursday while tilling his farm. Muiruri said he became suspicious after noticing the unusual metallic shape buried in the soil, prompting him to alert security officers immediately.
“I was preparing my shamba when I noticed a strange object. Its shape made me suspect it could be dangerous, so I called the authorities,” Muiruri said.
Confirming the incident, Kikuyu Sub-County Police Commander Joseph Ndege described the mortar as a “highly explosive device,” warning residents to exercise caution and avoid handling any suspicious metallic items they may come across.
“The detonator, measuring 80mm, is a highly dangerous explosive. We urge the public to stay vigilant and report such discoveries to the nearest police station,” Ndege stated.
Anthony Njau, another local resident, noted that similar explosive remnants have been found in the area over time, believed to be leftovers from colonial-era military activities.
Police officers swiftly cordoned off the area as bomb disposal experts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were dispatched to safely detonate the device.
Authorities have since urged residents across Kiambu County to report any unusual objects found on their land, citing growing concerns about unexploded ordnance linked to Kenya’s pre-independence conflicts.
