Tension filled the air in Ang’ata Baragoi, Trans Mara, on Tuesday after top police officials were met with anger and suspicion from local residents during a visit meant to address rising insecurity in the area.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI Director Amin Mohamed had flown into the region by chopper, but they were forced to remain inside the aircraft for over an hour.
The delay was caused by fears that their presence would spark chaos among the locals, who were already outraged over a recent incident involving the police.
Just a day earlier, five people had been shot by General Service Unit (GSU) officers following a land conflict. The land in question, 6,300 acres, had been allocated to the community years ago under former President Daniel arap Moi.
However, residents claim a powerful politician is now attempting to grab the land from them, triggering protests and clashes.
When the senior officers arrived, their presence only added fuel to the fire. Locals had earlier chased away GSU officers sent to the area to provide security ahead of the visit. With anger still fresh, the community demanded that any meeting involving security bosses must first include their local leaders.
Efforts by Emurua Dikir MP Johana Ng’eno to calm the situation failed. He ended up holding separate talks with the residents without the police chiefs, who remained in the chopper throughout the tension.
He was received by jubilant residents when he landed at the venue of the meeting.
Also present at the security meeting were former Bomet Governor and Judicial Service Commission Vice-Chair Isaac Ruto, and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot.
The standoff comes just a day aftera deadly encounter between police and the resident, with residents accusing the police of using force instead of listening to their grievances. Local leaders have called for calm as investigations continue.
By Newsmedia