The Narok County Government has pledged to meet all funeral expenses for six people, including a seven-year-old child, who were killed in violent clashes between residents and police officers in Angata Barrikoi.
The Monday, April 28, 2025, confrontation erupted after residents, claiming historical ownership of a disputed 6,800-acre parcel of land, blocked a major road to stop land officials from conducting a survey.
The standoff escalated into clashes with police, leading to multiple casualties on both sides.
In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu described the deaths as tragic and deeply regrettable, noting that the confrontation occurred amid efforts to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Angata and Moyoi adjudication sections.
“It is deeply regrettable that longstanding land disputes have escalated to such a tragic outcome, particularly at a time when we were nearing the resolution of the conflict… a process I have personally supervised for the past one and a half years,” he stated.
Ntutu, who visited the affected area on Monday evening, further announced that the county would cover the medical expenses of all those injured in the incident.
“The County Government of Narok will meet all funeral expenses for the deceased, including a seven-year-old child, and will also cover the medical costs for those injured during the incident,” the statement reads.
Investigations
To ensure accountability, he confirmed that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had been formally engaged to investigate the conduct of the officers involved.
“I have asked IPOA to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law,” he added.
Government response
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, speaking on Monday night after arriving at Wilson Airport from a daylong tour of the North Rift, also condemned the killings and called for calm.
“This is a very sad occurrence for us in the national security team. Land issues can easily be resolved peacefully—it should not lead to any loss of life,” Murkomen said.
He disclosed that, according to preliminary reports, five civilians had died and five police officers were injured—one critically, after being struck by an arrow to the head.
He noted that the security situation had delayed evacuation and hampered the confirmation of exact casualty numbers.
“It has taken a long time to evacuate that police officer to a hospital because of the situation around there,” the CS said.
Murkomen added that investigations into the incident would commence once calm is restored, to establish the circumstances surrounding the use of force by police and to identify individuals responsible for instigating the violence.
“We will deal with every person involved in inciting violence and prompting the use of force,” he said, urging the community to remain peaceful as security officers begin their probe.