IG Kanja: Barrikoi incident was avoidable, Ipoa probing

IG Douglas Kanja addresses a security meeting at Angata Barrikoi in Kilgoris Constituency, Narok county, April 29, 2025. /NPS

Inspector General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja has expressed sadness over Monday's clash between residents of Angata Barrikoi and security officers, which resulted in the deaths of five civilians and the injury of five officers.

The officers had accompanied Ministry of Lands officials who were on a court-sanctioned demarcation of a 6,800-acre parcel of land in the Angata Barrikoi/Moyoi area within theKigoris constituency of Narok County when things turned ugly, leading to the violent clash.

The government entourage arrived when the residents were already demonstrating against the alleged grabbing of part of the community land.

Kanja visited the area on Tuesday to assess the tragic events and noted that the situation could have been avoided.

A statement released by the NPS said the IG assured residents that he had referred the incident for investigation by the independent body mandated to oversee the police - the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa).

The authority had already begun investigations, the statement added.

"Furthermore, the IG announced upcoming policing reforms in the area and urged residents to comply with the law. He emphasised everyone’s responsibility to maintain peace," the statement further said.

The Barrikoi incident adds to a series of persistent insecurity incidents within Transmara arising from boundary and land ownership disputes.

In the latest incident, residents of Angata Barrikoi are reportedly opposed to the demarcation process until historical land injustices are resolved and the land demarcated fairly.

Prior to the IG's visit, area leaders led by Governor Patrick ole Ntutu and Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia toured the area to ease tensions as community elders and peace advocates called for an urgent stakeholders' forum to address the root causes of the land dispute.

They demanded impartial adjudication of the land and fair compensation where necessary as leaders and security agents remain under mounting pressure to find a lasting solution before tensions erupt again.

Political leaders present during Kanja's security meeting stressed the importance of law and order while demanding accountability for the lives lost in the clashes.

They included the Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Belgut MP Nelson Koech, and Emurua Dikirr MP Jonah Ngeno, among others.

Security bosses in Kanja's entourage included Deputy Inspector General (DIG-KPS), Eliud Lagat, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin, General Service Unit (GSU) Commandant, Ranson Lolmodooni, SAIG, Director of Operations (APS), Jackson Kangani, SAIG Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Jasper Ombati, AIG and NPS Director of Corporate Communications/Spokesperson AIG Muchiri Nyaga.