IG Kanja directs transfer of senior police officers in Angata Barikoi after 5 people killed

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has vowed to take decisive action against officers accused of using excessive force during a violent clash with protesting residents in Angata Barikoi, which left five civilians dead.

Touring the troubled area to assess the damage firsthand on Tuesday, Kanja apologised for the police's heavy-handed response and ordered the immediate transfer of the area DCIO and GSU officers.

The IG, flanked by local leaders at a peace meeting in the epicentre of the unrest, listened to calls for a speedy resolution to a longstanding land dispute that sparked the deadly demonstrations, where so far 15 people, including five police officers, are recovering from injuries.

He was accompanied by his deputy Eliud Lagat and DCI boss Mohamed Amin, who came face to face with an angry and grieving community.

For over an hour, the top security brass remained inside their chopper, as restless residents surrounded the landing site, demanding the presence of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno before any peace talks could begin.

The leaders eventually bowed to public pressure, and a second helicopter that had landed earlier with other leaders was quickly dispatched to airlift the MP.

When Ng’eno finally stepped out onto the dusty ground, the tension eased. The crowd fell silent, and the peace meeting was allowed to proceed. Residents spoke with raw emotion, recounting the events that claimed five lives.

"Wewe unasimamia polisi Kenya mzima alafu polisi anauawa watu, wa kwanza, wa pili alafu jana inakuwa ni watu sita..." said a resident.

Another resident, added, "Title inatengenezwa aje mara mbili, na ni nyinyi mnatengeneza kama serikali?”

Leaders at the meeting demanded a thorough probe into the incident and a lasting solution to the land dispute. The land, spanning over 6,000 acres, is now the subject of a protracted court battle with locals claiming to have ownership documents.

"Nani aliwaambia nyinyi mtume askari kupiga sisi? County Commissioner, County Commander was not aware of any operation here, how do you order such an operation of that magnitude without even informing the County Commander?" MP Ng’eno said.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot added, "Hii style ya kupiga watu risasi kichwa ilitoka wapi IG? And that person is in uniform... You don't want to be remembered as the commander of a killer squad. IG, don't leave this place without taking action against the officers wale umeambiwa."

In response to the residents' demands, IG Kanja vowed swift and decisive action against the officers involved in the violence, pledging that those responsible would face the full extent of the law.

"Polisi yeyote ambaye ameoperate outside the law anabeba msalaba wake. Tuko pamoja, mtu yeyote ambaye amefanya kazi kinyume cha sheria atabeba msalaba wake," Kanja said.

Kanja further ordered the immediate transfer of senior police officers and GSU officers stationed in the area to allow for calm.

"DCIO huyo atolewe hapa, apelekwe mahali ingine. Amin huyo peleka huko kwako headquarters. Wale maafisa wako hapa wa GSU commander, toa hapa hapa, wapeleke mahali engine," he ordered.

The police boss, who has ordered DCI Amin to investigate the deadly confrontation, says locals who attacked and injured five police officers, who are among the 15 people injured, will also face the law.

Miles away from the meeting, a group of Maasai elders insist that the contested piece of land rightfully belongs to them, refusing to back down despite growing tensions.

Tension continues to grip the area, with residents erecting barricades on roads, while schools remain empty as children stay home, fearful that the violence may escalate further.