Chaos has rocked Trans Nzoia after a fierce confrontation broke out between county enforcement officers and residents said to be protecting grabbed land earmarked for the new County Headquarters.
Governor George Natembeya, in a strongly worded statement, disclosed that a group of individuals resisting the project allegedly hired goons armed with machetes, arrows, and clubs to attack county officers. Several officers were left with serious injuries following the bloody confrontation. His full address can be watched here.
According to Natembeya, the fight started when the county government moved to put up a perimeter wall around the contested land. Instead of allowing the development, land grabbers reportedly turned to violence, raising concerns about the forces behind such well-organized attacks.
The governor maintained that no one will be allowed to profit from stolen public property, insisting that the law will catch up with those responsible. He confirmed that national security agencies have already been roped in to pursue the culprits and restore order.
The incident has divided opinion in Kitale. Supporters of the county’s hardline stance say reclaiming public land is long overdue, while others fear that the escalating tension could spill over into a bigger conflict between residents and county officers.
Natembeya’s combative approach is not new. Since taking office, he has built a reputation for locking horns with powerful figures accused of land grabbing. His latest move only reinforces his image as a governor who refuses to bend to pressure, regardless of the risks.
Now, Kenyans are asking whether this security operation will truly tame land grabbers or if Trans Nzoia is headed for an extended showdown over land ownership.
By Creatorhub