Displaced families in Laikipia gather outside the sub-county offices after fleeing retaliatory violence sparked by a deadly love triangle. (Photo/Steve Njuguna).
By Daisy Okiring
4 June 2025 | Nairobi, Kenya– More than 200 people have been displaced in Laikipia County following a violent chain of retaliatory attacks that erupted after two men were killed in what police suspect was a love triangle gone wrong.
The chaos began on Tuesday in the Matigari area of Laikipia West when 35-year-old Dancun Lenkirikai was found dead in his home with deep cuts on his body. According to preliminary investigations by the police, Lenkirikai had been embroiled in a dispute with two other men over a woman, which authorities believe may have led to his murder.
News of his killing quickly spread through the community, sparking a retaliatory attack. A group of enraged residents allegedly targeted Steven Lokirin, 39, believed to be one of the men involved in the love triangle. Lokirin was killed;, and his house was torched during the assault. Several other structures were also set ablaze as tensions escalated, forcing hundreds of villagers to flee the area in fear of further violence.
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In addition to the arson, the attackers reportedly stole an unknown number of livestock. However, police later recovered 44 animals and returned them to their rightful owners. The bodies of the two deceased men were transferred to a local mortuary as investigations and postmortem examinations proceed.
On Wednesday, over 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) gathered at the Laikipia West Sub-County offices seeking safety and assistance. Local Kenya Red Cross teams arrived to register the IDPs for humanitarian support and further intervention.
Despite reassurances from local administrators that security had been restored, the displaced residents declined to return to their homes, citing ongoing fear of reprisal attacks. The region remains tense, and additional security forces have been deployed to maintain order and prevent further violence.
Laikipia County is known for periodic conflict, largely due to disputes over pastureland, water sources, and livestock. It is among the counties included in Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a government initiative aimed at ending cattle rustling and intercommunal violence. While the operation has reduced incidents in some regions, persistent attacks like this underscore the fragile nature of peace in the area.
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