The Labour Court has issued a temporary injunction against the transfer of 194 police officers involved in a confrontation with herders in Narok following the controversial death of 25 sheep. The transfers, which were described as abrupt and punitive, have been put on hold pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by activist Memba Ocharo.
Ocharo, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, contends that the mass transfer orders violated the Service Standing Orders. Justice Nduma Nderi, who is presiding over the case, heard that the transfers lacked proper procedure and caused undue hardship for the officers and their families.
The case stems from a January 16, 2025, incident along the Narok-Mai Mahiu highway, where a non-injury accident resulted in the death of 25 sheep. The local community reacted by blocking the highway, demanding compensation for their losses. Efforts by officers from Narok East Sub-County Command to disperse the protesters escalated into confrontations involving tear gas and blank ammunition.
The altercation left several officers seriously injured. PC Isaya Kagiri suffered a severed left hand and a deep head wound, while Inspector Sarah Wavinya sustained a fractured left leg. Other injuries included hip, ear, and facial injuries for officers PC Erickson Koech, PC Samuel Kiplagat, and Cpl Peris Nchore, respectively. Additional injuries were reported for MP Charles Kirimi and Cpl Dr. Kibet Mutai.
Following the confrontation, the National Police Service and the Inspector General ordered the mass transfer of officers who were involved, a move that Ocharo argues was reactionary and punitive. The petition alleges that many of the affected officers were still recovering from injuries and were given no notice or relocation allowances. These transfers disrupted the officers’ family lives, including the education of their children, some of whom were forced to drop out of school due to financial challenges.
Ocharo’s petition seeks to have the transfers revoked and calls for adherence to the Service Standing Orders in future decisions. “The officers’ rights must be safeguarded, and due process must be followed to ensure fairness and professionalism,” read the court papers.
The court’s decision to halt the transfers temporarily is seen as a critical step toward ensuring justice for the officers as the legal battle continues.
