Senators slam Interior ministry over silence on Narok killings, demand justice and accountability

Senators have criticised the Ministry of Interior for remaining silent and failing to take responsibility after five civilians were killed during protests over a disputed 6,000-acre parcel of land in Ang’ata Barikoi, Narok County.

During a session on Thursday, the legislators expressed frustration that despite passionate appeals from the affected community, there has been no clear communication or decisive action from the police or the ministry since the incident happened on April 28.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna lamented that the local community had made emotional and urgent pleas for justice and accountability, but their concerns have gone unanswered.

“There were very passionate appeals from the community, yet to date, the questions raised have not been answered. I have not heard any communication from the police leadership or the ministry following that meeting,” Sifuna said.

Uncover the truth

He called on the National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee to take up the matter and help uncover the truth behind the killings and other issues raised by residents. The senator stressed that the core of the conflict relates to land ownership.

“The elephant in the room is the question of the ownership of the land. I am hoping that during that interaction with the committee, we will at least be told the truth about the people behind it and the action that has been taken in order to restore those who lost loved ones during that incident,” Sifuna said.

He also recounted an incident where the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, was summoned by local leaders in the aftermath of the killings. However, the IG was unable to join an ongoing meeting then because the local leadership had not arrived, forcing him to remain in his aircraft for almost an hour.

“I have referenced this incident because it was the first time I saw the Inspector General being summoned by the local leadership. When he arrived, he could not even disembark from his aircraft until the local leaders were present,” Sifuna said.

“I witnessed him sit in that chopper for almost an hour, unable to access the ongoing meeting.”

Lack of justice

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei condemned the government’s handling of the matter, sending condolences to the victims’ families and raising concerns about the lack of justice.

“We continue to send our deepest condolences to the people of Ang'ata Barikoi. It is sad that after they are buried, their issues have been forgotten. You even saw the disturbing incident where people were killed. A few others were also killed in Tondonyang. It is very unfortunate that in this country, the DCI is only efficient when pursuing politically expedient cases instead of going after actual criminals,” Cherargei said.

He described the situation as far deeper than it appears, involving the protection of land grabbers and demanded full disclosure on those behind the shootings.

“The issue of Ang'ata Barikoi is much deeper than it appears. It involves the protection of land grabbers. We need to be told who is behind these killings. This was an open shooting. How do you open fire on unarmed, peaceful citizens who are protesting against land grabbing?” he asked.

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“Even IPOA has not arrested anyone to date, despite the use of live bullets and postmortems having been conducted. We must be told what the government is doing.”

Murkomen under fire

Cherargei further criticised the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for his initial statement claiming the community wanted to attack the police.

“The Ministry of Interior issued a bold statement claiming that the people wanted to attack the police. How can you attack the police with your bare hands? Transferring incompetence to the Ministry of Interior is dangerous because it leads to loss of life. When roads stall, they can be fixed at a later date. He has even sponsored the grabbing of the Masalani land in Tana River. How do you go and grab land? This minister must be called out. Murkomen must and should resign,” he said.

The concerns raised by senators come after Murkomen condemned the clashes, noting that preliminary reports indicated five civilians had died during protests over land ownership.

“This is a very sad occurrence for us in the national security team because we must make sure that lives are protected. Land issues can easily be resolved peacefully; it should not lead to any loss of life,” Murkomen said.

Police officers injured

He added that five police officers were also injured, one critically, after residents claiming historical ownership of the land blocked a main road to stop land officials from surveying.

Narok County leaders have urged the Narok County Commissioner, Kipkech Lotiatia, to hold all officers suspected of involvement in the deadly shootings accountable. At the funeral service of Charles Langat, the last of the five victims to be buried, Emurua Dikir MP Johanna Ng’eno demanded swift action.

“We want the government to arrest all the officers involved in the shooting, and they should also trace the weapon used to kill Langat. That is not too much to ask, we are Kenyan citizens and we have the right to life,” he said.

Narok Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech emphasised the need for unity and warned against ongoing land conflicts.

“We cannot accept the police to kill our people in Ang'ata, and we appreciate that the police have agreed they will never do that again. We are sharing one country, one flag, but we will not share our land. You don’t have any right to own our land,” Koech said.

Kilgoris Municipal Chairperson Michael ole Maito called on the government to arrest the suspects with the same commitment shown in investigating the murder of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were.

Police IG Kanja vowed to take decisive action against officers accused of using excessive force during the clash.