This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
Kenya: Unresolved Ethnic Tensions Blamed for Violence in Njoro, Molo ¶
Violence in Njoro and Molo has been attributed to unresolved ethnic tensions, lack of land titles, and cattle theft.
According to residents, the tensions began when the government announced plans to reclaim part of the Mau Forest land that was allegedly encroached by human settlement.
Mr. Daniel Lagat, 76, claimed that he bought his parcel in Nessuit in 1994 from a member of the other community and settled there with his family.
"When they sold the land to us, some of the members moved further into the forest and when they were asked to leave, they started to fight," said Mr. Lagat.
However, Mr. Jackson Kumare denied that the members of one community wanted to take back the parcels, arguing that both communities have been affected by the forest evictions.
"Anytime a suspect is attacked, their women begin screaming which causes tension and is assumed that we have attacked the entire community. They run into the forest and the next thing we hear is somebody has been killed," said Mr. Kumare.
Regional Commissioner George Natembeya warned the communities against taking the law into their hands and trying to forcefully evict others through violence.
Mr. Natembeya denied issuing orders to evict residents from the forest land, saying that the government was still planning on when to do so.
MP Charity Kathambi accused the government of failing to undertake public participation process before deciding on the cutline.
