Police officers raised key issues regarding the invasion of Finlays Farm based in Kericho County, days after the purchase of the farm by Sri Lankan firm Browns Investment PLC.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a police officer privy to the matter noted that they sought to establish how the youth invaded the farm despite the presence of heavy security guards.
In addition, the police suspected that influential figures could politically instigate the invasion.
Another concern was how the invasion occurred twice in one month - with the latest attack leading to six police officers' nursing injuries at Chebitet Health Centre.
A police report seen by Kenyans.co.ke, indicated that 14 officers were attacked by over 200 youth armed with crude weapons.
The youth who invaded the farm illegally plucked tea and barricaded entrance routes with poles and boulders.
They later caught up with the officers after the police vehicle got stuck in the mud while skidding into the tea bushes.
As a result, the detectives were pelted with stones forcing them to lob teargas canisters at the protesters.
The officers were also forced to scamper for safety aboard a Finlays' company vehicle, leaving behind their patrol car.
Six cops who sustained injuries were rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital.
"52 live ammos used to fire warning shots as the officers retreated. The goons eventually burnt the police vehicle after vandalising it.
"Two wheels and the battery were stolen. A team of officers drawn from the entire Bomet County dispatched to the scene and the area in pursuit of the goons who escaped after torching the police vehicle," the police report read in part.
Brown Investment PLC purchased Finlays Farm for an undisclosed amount on May 4, 2023. As part of the deal, 15 per cent of the shares in the farm would be attributed to a locally-owned cooperative to boost sales of the tea pluckers.
“As part of the sales agreement Browns and Finlays have mutually agreed to acknowledge the long-standing support of the local community by selling 15 percent of shares in James Finlay Kenya to a locally owned co-operative,” the statement read in part.
