“Policeman killed during protest over land dispute in Loitoktok,Kajiado”

A police officer and a civilian were shot dead in a clash between protesters and police over a land dispute in Loitoktok area, Kajiado County.  Another officer and four civilians are nursing gun wounds at Makindu hospital following the...violent clash. The clash was over the Imbirikani Group Ranch that is owned by locals…The 10,000 acres of land is at the centre of controversy over claims part of it is being leased to an upcoming cement factory in the area. The injured have bullet wounds, police said adding some of the protesters may have been armed.

Police said a group of youth blocked the Loitoktok-Mombasa Highway road for long on Saturday paralysing operations before they moved in to contain the situation. Rift Valley police boss Solomon Makau said the group had blocked the road claiming part of the land had been leased out to the said factory without their knowledge and consent. “It was then that police moved in to restore order but were attacked leading to the clashes. Unfortunately there were casualties,” he said. A local youth leader Innocent Katoo said they had been informed the land was being sold or leased out by some of their members without their knowledge. “This prompted us to seek audience with the concerned parties to establish the truth but we were met with resistance and armed police who shot and killed one youth and injured four others. An officer was also killed in the process,” said Katoo. He said the ranch is embroiled in a battle over the alleged leasing of 3000 acres to a cement investor without the members’ consent.