Cherargei protests killing of two in Nandi, demands IPOA probe

The Saturday shooting left two men dead and several others injured after police opened fire on a group of armed youths who had invaded a disputed 5,000-acre farm.

The land, formerly part of the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC), is now said to be owned by private individuals, among them retired senior military and police officers.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have learnt of the mafia-style execution of two people and scores injured in an unprovoked situation in the Kimwani area over the land dispute,” Cherargei said in a statement.

Police confirmed two deaths and reported that several people were nursing injuries following the clash.

Cherargei said he had engaged IPOA to immediately apprehend and prosecute the officers behind the killings, describing the incident as a chilling replica of the Angata Baragoi massacre.

“Furthermore, I have urged the Inspector General of Police to immediately transfer all police officers,” he added.

The senator revisited a 2018 statement by Governor Stephen Sang, who had announced that the National Land Commission (NLC) and the county government were working to resolve historical land injustices in Kimwani.

He, however, regretted that no progress had been made.

“I am in constant communication with the NLC on this matter,” said Cherargei.

 “I urge the great people of Kimwani to remain peaceful and calm as we pursue justice for our people. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, friends, and the Kimwani community and wish a quick recovery to the injured. We shall stand together in solidarity.”

According to Nandi County Police Commander Thomas Ototo, the confrontation began when more than 500 youths armed with bows, arrows, and crude weapons stormed the disputed farms.

They reportedly torched 20 acres of sugarcane belonging to a former presidential escort commander before clashing with police officers on patrol.

“The armed youth confronted police officers, leading to a confrontation,” said Ototo, adding that thousands of residents from nearby villages also joined in the invasion.

The land, once part of the Kimwani ADC complex, was allocated during the KANU regime, a move that has fueled long-standing disputes.

Residents, under the Chebonet squatters’ umbrella, have been pressing the government to resettle them on what they describe as land owned by absentee landlords.

Ototo said he had met with the group just a day earlier and warned them against invading private farms and threatening security officers.

Additional police have since been deployed to restore calm and prevent further clashes.

The bodies of the two victims, described as middle-aged men, were taken to a local morgue as investigations continue.