Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the deadly clashes that erupted in Angara Barrikoi, Narok County, over a disputed piece of land, calling the incident a tragic failure of peaceful conflict resolution.
Addressing journalists on Monday night at Wilson Airport after returning from official duties in the North Rift, Murkomen expressed deep concern over the violence, emphasizing that land disputes should never lead to the loss of life. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the protection of all citizens, regardless of the issues at hand.
“This is a very sad occurrence for us in the national security team. We must ensure that lives are protected at all times. Land issues can easily be resolved peacefully; there is no justification for bloodshed,” he stated.
The violence erupted when local residents, claiming ancestral rights to the contested land, blocked a major road in protest against a planned land survey by government officials. The demonstration quickly escalated, resulting in violent confrontations between the residents and police officers.
According to Murkomen, preliminary reports indicate that at least five civilians may have lost their lives in the chaos. However, he was cautious in confirming the number, noting that the volatile security situation had prevented officers from accessing the area to verify the full extent of the casualties.
“The reason we cannot confirm the number now is that calm has not been fully restored in the area to enable security officers to establish the real facts,” he said.
In addition to the civilian deaths, five police officers were reported injured, one of them critically. The officer, according to the Cabinet Secretary, sustained a life-threatening injury after an arrow was lodged in his head. Due to the tense situation on the ground, emergency evacuation efforts were delayed, further complicating the medical response.
Murkomen revealed that investigations into the incident had not yet commenced, as security personnel were still working to stabilize the area. However, he assured the public that a thorough probe would be launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the conduct of both civilians and law enforcement officers during the clashes.
“The investigations are not complete because we need to establish the circumstances under which the five civilians died. We must also determine whether the police were justified in their use of force during the engagement,” he explained.
The Interior CS also indicated that the inquiry would extend to identifying individuals responsible for attacking police officers and those accused of inciting violence within the community.
“We will deal with every person involved in inciting violence and prompting the use of force. Investigations will also establish the persons who perpetrated these acts against the police officers,” he stated.
To support the investigation and restore order, Murkomen confirmed that additional police personnel had been deployed to Angara Barrikoi. He appealed to the local community to remain calm and cooperate with authorities, emphasizing that peace is essential for justice to prevail.
The situation remains tense, with officials urging restraint from all parties involved as efforts continue to restore normalcy and uncover the truth behind the tragic events in Narok.
