At least five people have been shot dead and several others seriously injured following a dispute over ownership of a piece of land at Angata Barrikoi in Transmara South, Narok County.
The five were allegedly gunned down by General Service Unit (GSU) officers on Monday morning after they attempted to prevent land officials from accessing a disputed piece of land measuring about 6,800 acres.
In the ensuing chaos, two GSU officers were shot with arrows that lodged in their head and hip.
Sensing danger, the officers opened fire, killing four people on the spot, while a fifth man died of his injuries while being treated at the Angata Barrikoi Health Centre.
“Several others sustained injuries, including two police officers who were stabbed by arrows—one lodged in the head and another in the hip,” said Joel Langat, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent.
The land surveyors had arrived in Angata Barrikoi, accompanied by a contingent of elite police, with the intention of placing beacons on the disputed land.
The demarcation would displace more than 3,000 local people.
They attacked the land surveyors, who were forced to run for their lives, before turning on the GSU officers with bows and arrows.
Skirmishes continued throughout most of Monday morning as security officers worked to restore calm in the area.
The dispute over land ownership dates back to the 1970s. Locals claim that a powerful figure in the ruling government is eyeing the land, and they have vowed to stay put.
Emotions ran high at the Angatta Barrikoi Health Centre, where the bodies of the deceased were taken for preservation.
Joseph Koech, the area MCA, and activist Johana Kamilan broke down when they saw the bodies of the dead.
Mr Koech condemned the incident and called on President William Ruto to intervene in the land dispute.
“The president should act on this matter urgently to end this kind of bloodshed. It is heartbreaking that lives have been lost due to the actions of a few individuals seeking control of land," Mr Koech said.
Nicholas Yegon, a local resident, criticised the police for using live bullets against locals who were demanding their rights.
"It is sad that instead of trained police officers guarding the lives of the people as enshrined in the Constitution, they are the ones killing them," Mr Yegon said, while calling on independent bodies to investigate.
Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno joined residents in calming the angry crowd, urging restraint despite simmering tensions.
Police were later forced to disperse a group that had gathered at the health centre amid fears that some locals were planning to attack the injured officers receiving treatment.
Tensions remained high on Monday evening, with roads leading to the disputed land still barricaded by angry residents.
