The violent protests in Angata Barikoi, Narok County, which resulted in five deaths, have drawn strong condemnation from national authorities, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen vowing to hold those responsible to account.
The protests erupted over allegations of illegal land allocation to private developers, leading to clashes between police and demonstrators.While locals were protesting what they termed the illegal allocation of communal land to private developers, officers moved to disperse the crowd, leading to violent confrontations.
Eyewitnesses reported gunfire, with videos showing chaotic scenes as protesters, including women, fled.The incident left Five people, including a teenage boy, dead and several others injured.
The inerior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the violence, insisting that land disputes should be resolved through legal channels rather than protests.He warned that instigators would face justice, regardless of their status.
The incident has reignited criticism of police brutality, coming just a day after a BBC exposé revealed alleged extrajudicial killings by security forces during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests which was led by the “Genz’s”
The Cs. Murkomen stated that government officers were conducting a land survey when they were attacked, calling the violence “unjustifiable.” He urged aggrieved parties to seek legal redress rather than take to the streets.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing. This incident highlights Kenya’s persistent land-related conflicts and raises concerns about police conduct during protests.
The timing, following the BBC’s report on last year’s crackdowns, has intensified scrutiny on security forces’ use of lethal force. The situation remains tense, with calls for accountability and justice for the victims.
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