Kenya: 'Police shoot youths' in protests over land ownership

Laikipia, Kenya: Tension was high in Kimagandura, Laikipia County after a youth was allegedly shot by police who were dispersing residents whom they said intended to attack surveyors.

Yesterday, two police officers, accompanying the surveyors, were forced to shoot several times in the air to disperse the protesters who were armed with crude weapons, mostly spears and arrows.

Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel addresses protesters from Kimagandura farm in Laikipia, yesterday.  (PHOTOS: JOB WERU/ STANDARD)

But after the crowd surged, one officer allegedly shot at the youth, injuring him seriously. An elderly woman also suffered head injury after he was reportedly hit with a gun butt. Other people suffered minor injuries during the scuffle.

The shooting sparked protests from the public, who set a Toyota Prado on fire, forcing the surveyors and the police to escape the wrath of the mob which threatened to attack them. The surveyors had visited the land, which is at the centre of an ownership dispute between the residents and other people.

Already, the dispute is before court. Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Abdirashid Mohammed and OCPD Kegode Kidiavai said the court has already issued an eviction order against the community. They had a hard time trying to calm down the protestors.

But yesterday, the leaders said they had not deployed any police officer to the farm to guard the surveyors. This followed protests by the residents and their MP Mathew Lempurkel, who accused the police of siding with the other party.

“We are demanding quick action from the Government. We demand that the police officer who opened fire on innocent protesters be arrested within one hour,” said Lempurkel.

Later, the community members resolved to hold a meeting a distance away from the authorities.

Lempurkel and Segera Ward Representative Sharubo Kaparo said they recovered six spent cartridges believed to have been fired by the police officers.

“We will not sit back and watch as the Government continues to oppress the community. Another man was shot dead by a police officer in Ngare Nyiro three weeks ago, and the officer is still enjoying his freedom,” claimed Lempurkel.

Mukogodo East Ward Representative David Tumpes called on the parties involved to be careful when addressing land issues. “We understand the villagers have been living on the land for more than 30 years, while some people from outside have started claiming ownership,” he said.

Joseph Lejeson Olendira, a programme officer with Impact Trust, said the land was being claimed by absentee landlords.