Angata Barikoi village in Narok County is reeling after a deadly clash between police and residents left five people dead.
The incident, which took place on Monday afternoon, stems from a long-running fight over 6,300 acres of contested land.
Residents, furious over the alleged grabbing of their ancestral land by a powerful politician, staged a protest that ended in gunfire.
Heart-wrenching videos and photos obtained by NR Team captured the chaos — gunshots echoing, women screaming, and desperate villagers running for their lives.
Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has condemned the killings and pledged his full support to the community.
He vowed to visit Angata Barikoi personally and assured locals that he would not allow anyone to take their land by force.
As investigations continue, anger and grief grip Narok County, where questions about land ownership and justice remain unanswered.
Narok Contested Land: How a Historic Feud Turned Deadly
The battle for land in Narok is not new. Tensions over ownership have simmered for years, with communities accusing influential leaders of trying to seize communal lands for private gain.
In Angata Barikoi, this old wound exploded on Monday. Reports indicate that a group of villagers gathered to protest against the alleged takeover of the 6,300-acre land parcel.
They claim the land has belonged to their community for generations, and they accuse a well-known politician of trying to claim it illegally. The protest, however, turned tragic when General Service Unit (GSU) officers arrived.
According to eyewitnesses and video evidence, officers fired live bullets at the unarmed demonstrators. Five people, whose identities have not been released yet, died on the spot. Senator Olekina was quick to speak out after the shootings.
“I am deeply saddened by the reported news of the killings in Angata Barikoi. My heartfelt condolences to all affected,” he stated.
“As your Senator, I stand firmly with you in this difficult time. I will visit the area soon to gain a better understanding of the situation and offer my support,” he added.
Olekina, known for his vocal defense of community lands, warned that no one — not even the powerful — would be allowed to steal from the locals.
Residents say the shooting is not an isolated event. Back in March, the same community had protested over fears that the accused leader would grab their land. They say that despite their cries, little action was taken to protect their interests.
Meanwhile, independent verification of the true ownership of the contested land remains challenging. Official records are unclear, and no government agency has yet provided clarification.
By the time of this report, both the police and local administration had not issued a statement explaining the events that led to the fatal shootings.
The silence from the authorities has fueled suspicion and anger among residents, who now demand immediate investigations and justice for the victims.
Calls for Justice and the Future of the Narok Contested Land
The killings in Angata Barikoi have sparked outrage not just locally but also nationally. Kenyans on social media are demanding accountability, questioning how protests over land could end in bloodshed.
Human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the deaths. They argue that the use of live ammunition on unarmed civilians is a violation of basic human rights and Kenya’s constitutional protections.
For the residents of Narok, however, the pain is personal. Five lives lost — sons, daughters, and parents — over land that they believe is rightfully theirs.
The fight for the Narok contested land is far from over. Senator Olekina has promised to push for answers and defend the rights of his constituents.
But for now, Angata Barikoi mourns. The sounds of gunfire may have faded, but the wounds of injustice remain deep and open.
