Local administrators in Njoro accused of colluding with private developer to disturb the dead

Njoro, Kenya: Over 200 residents of Rurii and Piston villages in Njoro sub-county demonstrated against the alleged grabbing of a public cemetery.

The angry residents, who were carrying twigs and placards, said private developers colluded with local administrators to grab the three-acre parcel of land.

The residents blocked the Njoro-Neissuit road paralysing transport for over five hours. They demanded to be addressed by an official from the Ministry of Land.

The protesters then collided with a another group, which was in support of the private developer, and engaged in a shouting match before  officers from Njoro Police Station arrived and calmed both groups down.

Assistant County Commissioner Joseph Kinyanjui, who addressed the angry residents visited the land. The said the developers have since planted crops including maize and beans.

However, the tussle between the residents, police and the assistant county commissioner was heightened by threats from the opposing group, which claimed to have legal documents for the land.

The assistant commissioner urged the residents to stay calm as the Government investigated the matter.

"I have heard your cries and I promise to raise the issue with the right authority to avoid any conflict," he said, adding that locals should find proper strategies of resolving conflict instead of attacking and insulting each other.