As you approach Baraka Estate along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, you are greeted by a beautiful view of lush maize crops in full bloom.

For anyone encountering this sight for the first time, it could be seen as a blessing, but for the residents here, the maize plants brings with it a dark side that the locals have had to contend with for a long time.

Inside the long green canopy of leaves robberies, muggings and even murders occur, the most recent of which occurred on 8 August when 30-year-old Vera Mugambi was found murdered inside the maize farm.

A photo of the maize farm near Baraka estate in Nakuru.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

The question you may be asking yourself is what are people doing inside a maize farm, well you see, in order to save time by taking a shorter route home, a number of people cut through the maize crop.

Unfortunately for the innocent passers-by, they are unaware of the danger lurking inside the maize farm.

Casper Chebi, a resident of Lower Kiamunyi near Mustard Seed, says such incidents are common in the area, especially during the rainy season when the maize plants are fully grown.

Casper Chebi a resident of lower Kiamunyi part during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

"The main reason why most people use this route is because it is a short cut to their homes. However, we have had many cases of insecurity and yesterday's gruesome murder of Mama Owen (Vera Mugambi) is a testimony to this," says Mr Chebi.

He says these incidents occur not only at night but also during the day as criminals use the cover of the maize farm to commit crimes.

Maryanne Mwange believes that criminals take advantage of women because they see them as being defenceless.

Maryanne Mwange a resident of Baraka Estate during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

"We have witnessed such an inhumane act and I am really pleading with the security agencies to really tighten security along this road. This is a very popular route used by most of the people living here as it is a shorter way to our homes," says Ms Mwange.

Dorothy Aswani, a resident of Baraka Estate, says that the issue of people being killed has become a common occurrence in the estate.

"There have now been two incidents of people losing their lives here in the space of two days. This maize farm is first and foremost a huge security risk. We have a matatu terminus here in Baraka known as Mash 1 and to get to it you have to go through the maize farm, sometimes not knowing what to expect once passing through," she laments.

According to Ms Dorothy the land where this maize is grown belongs to the Kenya Railways Cooperation and there are those who have leased the land to grow crops.

The road leading to Baraka Estate.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

"The original agreement was that whatever crops were planted on this land should not exceed three metres in height. However, you find that those who are planting these crops, some of whom are not even residents of Baraka, are violating the law," she says.

Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Menengai West Ward, Isaac Rottok, acknowledges that insecurity is on the rise in the area.

"There was a case in Kwa Gitau village in Ol- Rongai where a woman was found dead, another incident was in Rugongo village where an infant died and now the case in Mustard Seed on the way to Baraka Estate," says Mr Rottok.

He condemned the death of Ms Mugambi and called on the security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the matter.

"There has been a decline in police patrols and this has left the community vulnerable to such atrocities. I also urge everyone to report any suspicious activities or persons in their villages and settlements to the police," he says.

From an innocent needy teen, to suspected serial killer

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Joseph Openda