This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
On October 4, a chaotic scene unfolded in Kianda village, Igembe South, Meru County, leaving one person dead and several others injured. The incident has now dragged Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka into a land dispute.
Joseph King'ori M'Ikamati, a murder suspect, has claimed that Kalonzo Musyoka has interests in a 2,000-acre parcel of land at the centre of the dispute. The land belongs to five Meru clans, but Musyoka allegedly sits on it through proxies.
Through his lawyer, Kirimi Mbogo, M'Ikamati has asked Kalonzo Musyoka to record a statement in connection to the October 4 chaos. He claims that the former Vice President influenced investigations into the matter and was in constant communication with Meru County Commissioner Allan Machari, Igembe South Deputy County Commissioner James Koskey, and other senior officers.
According to M'Ikamati, prior to the killing, groups that enjoy Musyoka's support met at Nthanjene and Tumu Tumu police posts, took an oath, and vowed to evict all farmers from the area. He also alleged that Koskey ignored pleas for the arrest of the people who took the oath.
When the report was filed, and a police investigation undertaken, the arrest and prosecution of suspects began but was stopped, allegedly through the influence of the DCC and Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, M'Ikamati's lawyer told the judge.
