Police in Eldoret are investigating the killing of two people in a confrontation over land between KDF officers, police and the local community at Chebarus near Moi Barracks.

The two victims were shot dead during the confrontation as the officers moved in to rescue their KDF colleagues who had been surrounded and locked up by residents in a school on the disputed land.

A situation report from the Soy police station said Sgt Mark Ronoh of Soy police station reported at around 1130 hrs on Saturday December 25, 2021, that he was in the company of Kenya Defence Force's officers from the Kenya Ordinance Factory, who have been conducting survey on their land occupied by members of the public since December 23, 2021.

The exercise started at Kebeswet, Jerusalem and Tanzania area and on Saturday, the team went to Chebarus in Kiplombe location in Turbo subcounty, where they met resistance from residents who occupy the land.

The KDF officers, who were accompanied by police officers from Soy said they tried to talk to the residents not to interfere with the exercise but it fell on deaf ears.

The OB report at the Soy police station further indicated that the resident came to Chebarus primary school where the main beacon is, and closed the gate of the school. They then started pelting the officers with stones.

“The Commanding Officer, Kenya Ordinance Factory went to the scene and tried to talk to the residents but they were not ready to listen to him,” said the report.

Another reinforcement came from 9 KR Moi barracks and the officers had to use force to leave the school compound where they were held at around 1600 hrs.

The police officers from Soy police station used tear gas to disperse the residents. The ammunition expended by the KDF officers is yet to be established.

According to the report, there were two fatalities— Joel Kibet Keter, 53, who had a bullet wound on the left thigh and Eliud Menjo, 47, who had a bullet through the mouth which exited on the back of the head.

The bodies were taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem. 

Those injured were identified as Joan Chepchirchir, 19,  who sustained a bullet wound in the stomach and Edwin Kiplimo, 20, who was shot in the leg.

The third injured person was Kennedy Kiptarus, 20, who had an injury on the head caused by a blunt object.

They were evacuated to Moi Teaching and Referral hospital for treatment.

The police statement also said several vehicles belonging to Kenya Ordinance Factory were damaged.

Uasin Gishu police commander Ayub Gitonga said the matter was under investigations. - MATHEWS NDANYI, The Star