Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has protested the killing of two people at
Kimwani farm in Tinderet constituency and demanded a thorough probe into the
incident by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
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.
