Tension has gripped Narok after residents stormed the disputed Olkiombo land following a ruling by the Lands Court that awarded the land to Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu's brother.
In the ruling issued on Thursday, March 6, the court granted 4,000 acres of the alleged community land in case ELC CASE NO. 21 OF 2021 to Livingstone Ntutu.
Angered by the ruling, residents stormed the land on Friday and set structures ablaze. In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the irate residents invaded the land in solidarity, demonstrating their determination to fight for it despite the court's decision.
During the protest, hundreds of Maasai residents gathered at the site, plucking grass and throwing it into the air—an act said to symbolise an oath in their culture. It was also alleged that several buildings in the area were set on fire amid the demonstrations.
Authorities were yet to comment on the situation, but tensions remain high as the community continues to express its dissatisfaction with the ruling.
Reacting to the court decision, Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo condemned it, describing it as an injustice to the community, which has been fighting for ownership of the land for years.
"While we respect the court process, we strongly disagree with this ruling. We condemn this blatant land theft in the strongest terms possible. This is a calculated move to silence the community while their rightful land is stolen under the guise of legal proceedings," the MP wrote.
"But let it be clear—this fight is far from over! The Maasai people will not sit back as their ancestral land is taken from them. Justice must and will prevail," Tongoyo continued.
The MP accused the sitting governor of disregarding the needs, rights, history, and dignity of the Maa people, unlike his predecessors, who had consistently stood firm in defending Olkiombo as community land.
While reacting to the court ruling, Narok County Governor Ntutu clarified that the dispute was between his brothers individually and not the Ntutu family.
"It is important to make clear that the legal dispute between Livingstone and the county government is not a legal dispute between our collective family and the county government. Instead, it is an individual claim by Livingstone over the disputed land," the governor clarified.
As a way forward, the governor revealed that he has instructed the county's legal team to review the court ruling, as well as the entire suit, carefully so that they can advise the county government appropriately on the next course of action.
The legal team acted swiftly and appealed the ruling on Friday: "Take notice that the county council of Narok acting as the first appellant herein, being dissatisfied with the judgment of Honorable Charles Mbogo given on March 6, intends to appeal to the court of appeal against the whole of the said judgment," the appeal notice read in part.
