Narok Governor issues 5-day ultimatum to transfer 194 police officers following Suswa clashes
Ole Ntutu condemned the Labour Court’s decision to temporarily block the transfer of the officers, pending the resolution of a legal case.
Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu has issued a five-day ultimatum to the national government to finalise the transfer of 194 police officers stationed in Suswa, following clashes on January 17, 2025, that led to two deaths.
Speaking at Duka Moja on Thursday, Ole Ntutu condemned the Labour Court’s decision to temporarily block the transfer of the officers, pending the resolution of a legal case.
“How do we do an investigation? How does the high power do an investigation when the officers who have done that are still there? So, I’m saying this as the governor of these people: all those transferred officers should move immediately,” Ole Ntutu said.
The governor was joined by other local leaders who expressed their concerns over the trust deficit between the community and the officers.
John Saruni Reson, a local leader, added, “Sorry to the police officer who lost his hand. We wish him a quick recovery wherever he is. But we are still in pain; our children are six feet under…”
Former Suswa MCA, Alfred Keriolale, also weighed in, saying, “We want to ask our government that Kenya is big, and we do not want to see those people here again. We have lost lives because of them, and no one has compensated for the loss of lives.”
The violent clashes occurred a day after a private vehicle ran over and killed 36 goats and sheep owned by herders on the Narok-Suswa road at Duka Moja.
Violent confrontation
Police intervention to manage the situation escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in the deaths of two people and an officer losing his hand.
The injured officer is currently receiving treatment in Nairobi as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) continues its investigations.
In response to the incident, the National Police Service and the Inspector General issued mass transfer orders for the involved officers. However, the Labour Court intervened on Tuesday, temporarily halting the transfer, following a petition by activist Memba Ocharo, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari.
Ocharo challenged the legality of the transfer orders, describing them as abrupt and punitive. His petition highlighted that the officers were not given adequate notice or consideration for their medical and family situations.
Some officers, still recovering from injuries, were reportedly forced to relocate without support or allowances, leading to significant financial and logistical difficulties. Ocharo also argued that the transfers disrupted the education of officers’ children, with some having to drop out of school.
The case aims to protect the rights of the officers and ensure that future transfer decisions adhere to legal and procedural requirements.
Meanwhile, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has deployed a team to Narok County to provide psychological support to officers following the confrontation at Duka Moja.
The NPSC stated on Thursday that the initiative was designed to help officers cope with the traumatic effects of the encounter.
The commission added that the program also seeks to alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.
Led by Esther Mwatha, Deputy Director of Human Capital Management, and Julius Menza, Manager of the Counselling Unit, the team created a safe space for officers to share their experiences and receive professional guidance.
“The team provided a supportive environment for officers to share their experiences, fostering emotional healing and resilience,” the NPSC said.
They noted that the intervention is part of a broader strategy to ensure the mental health and effectiveness of law enforcement personnel.
Top Stories Today
