Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged residents of Narok County to avoid violence in resolving land-related disputes, calling instead for dialogue, mediation, and legal processes to address grievances.
Speaking ahead of the Jukwaa la Usalama Town Hall meeting in Narok, Murkomen expressed concern over the rising number of violent clashes linked to land ownership in the region. He noted that such disputes have already led to injuries, loss of lives, and harm to security personnel.
“Even as we wait for settlement through court processes and community engagement, we encourage locals to take measures that resolve land issues amicably,” he said.
Murkomen pointed out that many of these conflicts stem from deep-rooted historical grievances, with ancestral claims predating formal land registration. He added that the surging value of land in the county has intensified tensions, making disputes more volatile.
A major flashpoint in the county is a 6,500-acre parcel in Ang’ata Barikoi, Kilgoris, contested by members of the Maasai and Kipsigis communities. Residents claim ancestral ties to the land and fear losing it to allegedly unfair transactions and political interference. Some community members have accused politicians of attempting to grab the land without due process or compensation, fueling mistrust and anger.
Murkomen acknowledged that while the security sector does not directly manage land, disputes over resources quickly escalate into security challenges. Several police officers have been injured while responding to such clashes.
To address the problem, county security teams are being trained to facilitate community dialogues, barazas, and mediation forums aimed at restoring trust between warring groups.
“We are not just responding to conflict. We are actively working to bring communities together, to talk, to listen, and to find solutions that protect everyone’s rights,” Murkomen said.
The Interior Ministry has pledged continued support for peace-building initiatives in Narok and other counties facing similar tensions. Murkomen also called on political leaders to act responsibly and avoid inflaming disputes for personal or political gain.
Narok County, with its rich cultural heritage and valuable land resources, has long been affected by disputes rooted in colonial-era policies and complicated by modern political dynamics.
