Police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had blocked the Narok-Bomet Highway following the murder of a young man, allegedly by suspected robbers, at K24 Estate in Narok town on 11 January, 2024. Photo/KNA
By Newsflash Correspondent
NAIROBI, April 29, 2025 — The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has strongly condemned the deadly police crackdown on protesters in Angata Barikoi, Kilgoris, Narok County, that left at least five people dead and several others injured on Monday.
The clash occurred during a protest over a disputed 6,000-acre piece of land, escalating tensions in a region long marred by unresolved land conflicts.
In a detailed press statement released Tuesday, the Commission described the incident as a “tragic and unacceptable loss of life,” criticizing the alleged excessive and unlawful use of force by officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) who were deployed to quell the demonstrations.
“The Commission is deeply disturbed by the accounts of excessive and lethal force used against unarmed citizens exercising their right to protest,” said Dr. Raymond Nyeris, Vice Chairperson of KNCHR. “This incident represents a grave violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, particularly the right to life, human dignity, and security of the person.”
Use of live ammunition condemned
The KNCHR expressed alarm that live ammunition was reportedly used against civilians, actions which the Commission said failed to meet the legal threshold for the intentional deprivation of life under Article 26 of the Constitution. “The circumstances described, involving protests over a land dispute, do not appear to meet the stringent legal threshold required to justify the intentional deprivation of life,” the statement read.
Further citing Article 29, which guarantees freedom from violence and cruel treatment, the Commission emphasized that the force used by police “undermines Article 28, which upholds the Inherent Dignity of every person.”
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The Commission pointed to provisions in the National Police Service Act, especially the Sixth Schedule, which mandates that police must always attempt to use non-violent means first and resort to firearms only as a last measure, primarily for self-defense or protecting others from imminent threat. The reported actions, according to KNCHR, suggest a “failure to adhere to these principles of necessity and proportionality, indicating an unlawful use of lethal force.”
Legal violations
The statement also raised serious concerns about the legality of a land demarcation exercise reportedly undertaken by government officials despite a court order halting such activities pending a petition filed by affected families. The KNCHR warned that proceeding in defiance of the court order amounts to a violation of the rule of law and property rights under Articles 40 and 47 of the Constitution.
“This represents a serious breach of procedural fairness and potentially the property rights of the residents involved,” said Dr Nyeris.
Recommendations
In response to the incident, the KNCHR issued a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at securing justice and preventing future violations:
- The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) was urged to launch immediate and impartial investigations into the killings and injuries, and to publish their findings swiftly.
- The Inspector General of Police was asked to interdict all officers involved pending investigations and to enforce strict compliance with human rights standards.
- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was called upon to prosecute those found culpable.
- The Ministry of Interior and the National Land Commission were asked to review actions around the land demarcation and address underlying land disputes.
- The Judiciary was urged to expedite hearings related to the land matter and ensure full respect for court orders.
- Both national and county governments were urged to provide support and compensation to affected families.
Call for calm
While standing in solidarity with the victims, KNCHR called on the public to remain peaceful and avoid further violence. “The Constitution only recognizes the importance of peaceful and orderly protests as a means of expressing grievances and seeking redress,” the statement emphasized.
Dr Nyeris reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to monitor the situation and advocate for justice: “The sanctity of life must be protected, and impunity for human rights violations must end.
Others who have condemned the killings are Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchummba Murkomen and Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.
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