One dead, several injured in night attack over land dispute in Kitengela

 

On Wednesday night, unknown assailants attacked residents of the disputed Empakasi sheep and goat ranch near the Kajiado-Machakos county border, killing one and injuring several others.

At least 45 attackers were said to have used motorcycles and a 14-seater matatu to forcibly evict the residents in the middle of the night.


However, the situation worsened when they attacked the first two semi-permanent houses after the residents issued a distress call, which drew the attention of neighbours.


The enraged locals retaliated under the cover of darkness, killing a middle-aged gang member and injuring three of his accomplices with spears and panga. During the hour-long melee, three residents were injured, including a woman.

Kenya Defence Force (KDF) officers stationed at a nearby livestock camp assisted in restoring order by seizing six motorcycles used by the thugs and recovering several solar panels stolen during the attack, as well as Sh149,000 in one thousand notes from the gang leader.

By Thursday morning, the entire neighbourhood was in a downbeat mood. The injured wore wreaths of pain as the devastation became clear.

Houses had been partially demolished and completely ransacked, with household goods destroyed.

“It was a night of terror where life seemed to be unpredictably short. We were woken up by a loud bang before the youths gained access to our homes,” said one resident.

One of the arrested attackers, who was hit by a vehicle during the incident, told NTV that they were promised Sh2,000 after the daunting task.

“Some of us are boda boda riders from Pipeline, we were promised quick money, I am lucky to be alive,” he said in tears.

Residents condemned the attack, saying it was a well-orchestrated plan by land grabbers to force them off their ancestral land.

Athi River South Sub County Police Commander Jos Mudavadi said investigations had begun and those arrested would be charged in court with robbery with violence.

The land was acquired by the government in the 1970s to be used for sheep and goat farming, but the project collapsed and the community was relocated to the land.