Top security officials, including DCI boss Mohamed Amin and Deputy Inspector General Noor Gabow (representing IG Japhet Koome), were trapped inside their police chopper for more than an hour after landing in Ang’ata Barikoi, Trans Mara, Narok County.
The incident happened on Tuesday amidst rising tensions following the killing of five people during a land-related conflict.
According to local reports, security officers were reluctant to step out of the chopper due to fears of hostility from angry residents.
The community was still reeling from the previous day’s tragedy, where officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) reportedly shot and killed five individuals during confrontations over land ownership.
Residents had forcefully entered a disputed 6,300-acre piece of land, which they claimed rightfully belonged to them.
They argued that the land was allocated to them many years ago by former President Daniel Arap Moi but was now being unfairly taken by a powerful politician from the area.
Their resistance against the alleged land grab turned into a full-blown clash with police officers deployed to guard the area.
Images and video footage seen by Newshub.co.ke showed the police air wing chopper sitting idle after landing, as neither Amin nor Gabow dared to step out due to the hostile environment.
Locals had earlier chased away tens of GSU officers stationed there in anticipation of the arrival of the top police commanders.
The atmosphere on the ground was extremely tense, with angry residents standing their ground and demanding accountability.
Attempts by Emurua Dikir MP Johana Ng’eno to de-escalate the standoff failed. Though he tried to mediate, he was forced to meet the locals without the police bosses.
The residents insisted that Ng’eno should only be part of the talks if he was accompanied by other local leaders they trusted, making it clear they no longer had confidence in the national security officials.
Ng’eno had been at the center of the storm since Monday, when he was recorded in a dramatic confrontation with GSU officers.
In the widely shared footage, the MP approached the heavily armed officers and challenged their use of excessive force to suppress demonstrators.
His bold confrontation was seen as a reflection of the frustration felt by the local population.
Several high-profile leaders were also present at the site of the planned security meeting.
These included Isaac Ruto, former Bomet Governor and Vice Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), as well as Senate Majority Leader Aron Cheruiyot.
Later, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that investigations had been launched to uncover the full sequence of events that led to the deadly clash.
He acknowledged the loss of five lives and added that at least five police officers were also seriously injured during the violent altercation, reportedly at the hands of furious civilians.
The situation has raised fresh concerns about land ownership conflicts in Kenya and the heavy-handed approach often used by law enforcement when addressing protests.
Many are now demanding justice for the victims and a transparent investigation into both the land dispute and the police conduct.
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