Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno was captured on video on Monday, April 28, confronting heavily armed police officers during violent clashes over land ownership in Angata Barrikoi, Narok County.
In harrowing footage, the lawmaker is seen boldly walking towards armed officers who appeared ready for action as he questioned why they were allegedly using excessive force to disperse protesters.
At one point, the MP corners one officer before asking him, "Why are you killing people? What do you want here?"
Amid his brave confrontation, the officers remained quiet, as some attempted to walk away from Ngeno after spotting civilians taking videos of the incident.
Several residents also joined the MP as they questioned the officers on the use of excessive force. One resident could be heard accusing the police of 'disrespecting a dignitary'.
What made Ngeno's confrontation with the police extraordinary was the fact that as he was confronting some of the officers, there were sounds of gunshots and tear gas in the background – an indicator that the clashes between authorities and civilians were still ongoing.
Despite the commander in charge's efforts to calm the lawmaker, his pleas fell on deaf ears as Ngeno was unrelenting, accusing the police of killing civilians, as the death toll of those who lost their lives from the clashes reportedly rose to seven.
The Monday unrest began after residents blocked a main road, citing historical ownership of the land. The residents were reportedly trying to block land officials from conducting a survey.
Things took a turn for the worse after a vehicle belonging to the land officials was vandalised, prompting police to intervene in large numbers.
The MP later visited those injured from the clashes at the Angata Health Centre.
In the wake of the violence, Narok Deputy Governor Tomalinye Koech also condemned the killings, as he questioned why police had to resort to shooting civilians.
He said, "Who gave them the instructions? This nonsense of taking people’s lands by force should cease. Why is it happening 63 years later? I strongly condemn this in the strongest terms."
