Angata Barrikoi Ward in Transmara South Sub-county is
gradually returning to normalcy after deadly confrontations between residents
and police officers left five people dead and several others injured, including
five law enforcement officers.
The violence erupted during a protest against the planned
demarcation of a contested 6,800-acre parcel of land in the Moyoi Adjudication
Section on Monday.
According to reports, the clashes began when officials from
the Ministry of Lands, accompanied by police, attempted to begin the land
adjudication process.
Residents, who have long claimed ancestral ownership of the
land, opposed the exercise, citing lack of unresolved historical grievances.
The situation escalated quickly as the crowd turned hostile,
prompting a heavy-handed police response that ended in bloodshed.
Area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Joseph Koech confirmed
that security has since been reinforced in the region and that calm has largely
been restored.
He urged both the national and county governments to
fast-track conflict resolution mechanisms to avoid further bloodshed.
In response to the tragedy, Narok County Governor Patrick
ole Ntutu, Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia, and top members of the
county’s security team visited the affected area to assess the situation and
offer reassurance to residents yesterday.
During his visit, Governor Ntutu announced that the county
government will fully cater for the funeral expenses of the deceased and will
also cover the hospital bills of those injured in the clashes.
“We mourn with the affected families, and as a county
government, we will stand with them during this difficult time. This land issue
must be resolved through dialogue, not violence,” said Governor Ntutu.
National leaders have also taken notice.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja is expected to
visit the region on Tuesday to address the security concerns and ensure that law
enforcement actions remain within the bounds of professionalism.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and other Kipsigis
leaders are also scheduled to tour the area as part of efforts to support peace
and reconciliation initiatives.
Community elders and peace champions are calling for an
urgent stakeholders' forum to address the root causes of the land dispute,
which has historically been a source of tension among local communities.
Calls for impartial
adjudication, fair compensation (where necessary), and inclusive consultations
continue to dominate local discourse.
The Moyoi land dispute is one of several simmering boundary
and land ownership issues in the larger Trans Mara region, and leaders are
under increasing pressure to deliver a lasting solution before tensions erupt
again.
