Eight charged over deadly land clashes in Njoro

Daudi Kiplagat ( right) and his brother Mathew Kipkurui looking helplessly on what used to be their home at in Ngongongeri Farm in Njoro Sub-county on March 14,2016 after raiders attacked them on Sunday night burning down their house,More than twelve houses were burned in the area and lots of property destroyed .PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Nakuru, Kenya:  Eight people including a nominated member of county assembly were arraigned in court in connection with the skirmishes at a farm in Njoro, Nakuru County.

And as the suspects appeared in court yesterday another victim of the clashes at Ngongongeri farm succumbed to his injuries at Rift Valley General Hospital, bringing the number of those who have died from the violence in 24 hours to two.

United Republican Party nominated MCA Joseph Miangare was charged alongside Josephine Kurasoi, Sharon Cherutich and Lilian Chebet Rotich with incitement before Molo Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo. They were said to have committed the offence on February 20 this year.

Teresia Chepkoech was separately charged with aiding the escape of Nicodemus Kipngeno, a robbery with violence suspect, from lawful custody at Ndoswa location chief's camp on March 10.

They all denied committing the offence and were released on a Sh20,000 cash bail each, pending hearing of the case on June 27 to 30.

Kiprotich Komen, Romas Kipchomba and Emily Chemutai were also charged before the same court with robbery with violence. They allegedly committed the offence on March 13.

The three allegedly robbed Justin Kiprop Kimosop of 26 heads of cattle valued at Sh650,000 at the farm.

They also denied committing the offence and were released on a Sh100,000 bond with surety of a similar amount pending hearing of their case on July 4 and 7.

At the Nakuru High Court, Kenneth Komen appeared before Justice Janet Mulwa in connection with the killing of Stephen Kiprotich Munyerere on March 13, 2016.

The judge allowed the application by prosecution to have the accused remanded at Njoro Police Station to allow further investigations.

She directed Komen to appear in court on March 21 for further directions.

Yesterday, the Government deployed General Service Unit officers to restore peace in the area after more attacks and torching of houses and destruction of property by members of Ogiek community was witnessed on Sunday night.

Twelve houses, including eight granaries full of maize, were burnt in suspected revenge attacks hours after a land owner, Dr Aron Komen, allegedly shot and killed one of the people accused of invading people's property.

According to witnesses, Komen, a licensed gun holder, shot the man after he attacked him with a panga while he was supervising the ploughing of his land on Sunday.

So far 19 houses have been torched in the dispute over the ownership of the 26,000 acres. Members of the Ogiek community want the Government to give them part of the private property, claiming it was their ancestral land.