'Where is the president?' Desperate families flee fresh bloodshed in Narok
Despite a massive high-level security delegation visiting earlier this year, fresh violence has claimed four lives and seen over 100 homes razed to the ground, forcing hundreds of families to seek refuge in primary schools.
Tensions remain high in Lolgorian and Ang'ata Barikkoi in Trans Mara South, Narok County, following fresh violence linked to a long-standing land dispute.
Four people have reportedly been killed, several others injured, and over 100 homes torched, resulting in the destruction of property of unknown value.
Notably, hundreds of residents have been displaced and are now seeking refuge in nearby schools, including Sankale Comprehensive Primary School. These schools are now serving as temporary shelters for affected families.
Security officials in the area have not yet issued an official statement on the cause of the clashes, despite calls for calm from political leaders, including Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu and Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli.
Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu when he appeared before Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism at Parliament buildings Nairobi on Tuesday, May 28, 2024
The situation is so volatile that the governor and MP were unable to visit on Wednesday, managing only to tour the Trans Mara Sub County Hospital in Kilgoris Town, where the injured are recuperating.
David Kirui, a school committee member, said that displaced residents had nowhere else to go and appealed for government intervention.
"We are calling for emergency humanitarian assistance even as we pursue long-term solutions," said Mr Kirui, noting that the clashes involve members of the Siria and Kipsigis communities.
Caren Mutai, a local resident, appealed to President William Ruto for help, saying that children have been displaced and that local leaders are absent.
"The situation here is bad. We need urgent help. Where is our government? We want our president to hear our cries for help and come to our rescue," she pleaded, noting that frequent land disputes and subsequent violence were hindering development in the region."
The renewed fighting comes three days after a brief period of calm returned to the region. The area has a history of land-related conflicts leading to bloodshed.
In March 2025, clashes at the Kisii–Trans Mara border linked to livestock theft left three people dead.
In April this year, five people, including a student, were shot dead, reportedly by police.
The deaths occurred following clashes between the police and residents, sparked by a land dispute, with residents claiming that a senior government official had illegally seized their land.
The situation escalated quickly, leading to a heavy police response that ended in bloodshed.
Notably, a boundary demarcation exercise completed in September 2025, meant to resolve a 50-year-old dispute between Moyoi and Ang’ata Barikkoi, has not delivered lasting peace.
Following his visit to Trans Mara Sub County Hospital on Wednesday, Governor Ntutu told journalists, "Land has long been an issue in this region, but we will ensure lasting peace. We will take action against those responsible."
Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli.
Mr Sunkuli warned that conflicts are escalating, with communities increasingly resorting to gun violence.
During the April clashes, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja toured the volatile area and promised a long-term solution to the recurrent land disputes.
The IG vowed swift and decisive action against officers involved in the violence, pledging that those responsible would face the full extent of the law.
"Any police officer who operates outside the law bears their own cross. We are united; anyone who acts unlawfully will bear their cross," Mr Kanja said.
He further ordered the immediate transfer of senior police officers and GSU officers stationed in the area to restore calm.
"The DCIO must be removed from here and sent elsewhere. Make sure to transfer them to headquarters. Those GSU officers here should be moved to another location," he ordered as he responded to demands by angry locals.
Political leaders present during Kanja's security meeting stressed the importance of law and order while demanding accountability for the lives lost in the clashes. They included Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Belgut MP Nelson Koech, and Emurua Dikirr MP Jonah Ngeno, among others.
Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohammed Amin.
Security officials in Kanja's entourage included Deputy Inspector General (DIG-KPS) Eliud Lagat, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin, General Service Unit (GSU) Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, SAIG, Director of Operations (APS) Jackson Kangani, SAIG Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Jasper Ombati, and AIG Muchiri Nyaga, Director of Corporate Communications/Spokesperson.
But even with the big delegation, security is yet to return to the area, and more deaths are still being reported, several months after the IG's visit.
