Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers on Saturday, December 25, allegedly shot three people dead following a violent confrontation with protesting residents of Chebarus area of Uasin Gishu County.
According to the locals who spoke to the media after the incident, KDF soldiers had moved to cordon off land whose ownership had been contested by the residents.
It was reported that the residents moved in to block the soldiers from leaving the land after they had completed their assignment. The officers had to call for reinforcement as they were outnumbered by the agitated residents.
Some of the residents questioned the motive behind KDF's move to take over the disputed land on Christmas Day, adding that there was no notice issued over the same.
“Today we are crying on Christmas Day. These tears will go for nothing. If they want to arrest us, let them come and arrest all of us. Why are they killing young people because of their rights?”
“The community moved to court, which issued orders stopping the KDF from exercising the land pending the determination of the court case. We are asking them why they decided to ignore the court order,” Julius Kitur, a resident, stated.
Additionally, Sammy Birech, a resident of Chebarus, revealed to the media that they had moved to court in 2019 after attempts by the disciplined forces to occupy the land.
Birech stated that KDF acted unlawfully as the land dispute is yet to be determined by the Environment and Lands Court in Eldoret.
He added that the disciplined forces were restrained from fencing the land until the matter was settled adding that part of the land belonged to a school in the area.
“We moved to court in 2019 and the case has been awaiting a hearing. We have submitted documents and NLC also made a request to file documents.”
“We were shocked when the soldiers came on Christmas Day without even seeking permission from the headteacher. The locals responded and confronted them but unfortunately, it turned deadly,” he stated.
Apart from the residents who lost their lives, other members of the public were injured during the altercation that saw KDF officers lob teargas at the protestors.
On his part, Uasin Gishu County Commander, Ayub Ali Gitonga, stated that they would investigate the incident to uncover circumstances surrounding the incident.
