Police IG Douglas Kanja addresses residents at Anagata Barrikoi, Narok COunty on April 29, 2025/KIPLANGAT KIRUI
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has pledged that any officers found responsible for the deaths of five civilians in Angata Barrikoi, Transmara South, will face full legal consequences.
Addressing a tense peace meeting at Angata Barrikoi Primary School on Tuesday, Kanja confirmed that investigations are underway, with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) also launching a parallel probe.
The fatal incident involved officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) who were deployed to oversee a contentious land demarcation exercise.
“No one is above the law,” Kanja said firmly. “Any officer who acted outside their mandate will be held personally accountable—regardless of their rank.”
As part of immediate disciplinary actions, Kanja ordered the transfer of the sub-county Criminal Investigations Officer, known only as Too, along with all GSU personnel stationed in the area.
He urged locals to remain calm and to reopen roads that had been blocked in protest, assuring them of justice and due process.
The killings have sparked national outrage and drawn fierce condemnation from political leaders.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot decried the incident as “aimless shooting,” calling it unacceptable that an eight-year-old boy was among the victims.
“We cannot normalise this kind of violence from law enforcement,” he said.
“The officers involved must be arrested and prosecuted before the victims are laid to rest.”
Cheruiyot also criticised a recent court ruling by Justice Mohammed Kullow, suggesting the judge may have been compromised.
He labeled the decision—presumed to support the land demarcation—as unjust.
Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno echoed the criticism, revealing that Justice Kullow had previously faced suspension over bias claims—a move that was later reversed by the Judicial Service Commission.
Ngeno questioned why land demarcation continued despite a court order maintaining the status quo and called for the arrest of Transmara South Deputy County Commissioner Abdihikam Jubat, whom he accused of authorizing the deadly operation.
Chepalungu MP Victor Koech emphasized the community's longstanding connection to the land and advocated for the creation of a new sub-county to better address their concerns.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech urged those misled by fraudulent land deals to seek redress from the brokers involved, insisting the community’s land rights were legitimate.
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto called for calm and encouraged elders to mediate and lead peace talks in the region.
Area MCA Joseph Koech added historical weight to the dispute, stating that the contested 6,300-acre tract had originally been allocated to locals by the late President Daniel Arap Moi.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and traumatic scene during the incident.
Resident Bismarck Cheruiyot recounted that police began shooting without warning, killing five people, including a young boy who had merely asked for a ride.
He accused local administrators of escalating tensions through intimidation and threats.
Activist Johana Kamilan urged President William Ruto to issue title deeds to residents of the disputed land and demanded the immediate transfer and prosecution of the local security chiefs involved.
The deadly confrontation erupted as land officials, under heavy GSU escort, attempted to demarcate the disputed land.
Residents opposed to the exercise resisted, sparking violent clashes.
Five civilians lost their lives, and five police officers were among those injured in the chaos.
As investigations unfold, the government faces growing pressure to deliver justice, restore peace, and bring lasting resolution to a conflict rooted in historical land grievances.
