Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned the killing of five people and the injuring of several others in Ang'ata Barrikoi, vowing to identify and expose those responsible for the violence.
In a statement on Monday, April 28, Gachagua expressed sympathy with the victims' families and criticized what he described as a culture of greed and brutality among a section of leaders.
"My heart goes out to the families of the five innocent people who have been shot dead and several who have been injured in Ang'ata Barikoi over the 6,000-acre piece of land which rightfully belongs to the citizens who have occupied the land for several decades.
"What kind of insatiable appetite is this by a section of leaders for the primitive accumulation of grabbed land and wealth, can our nation sink into? The sanctity and preciousness of human life, which is a gift from God, seems to have been thrown to the dogs by vicious autocrats," he said.
Drawing a comparison with previous instances of police brutality during public protests, Gachagua recalled the deaths of several young Kenyans during the GenZ demonstrations, questioning the use of excessive force by security agencies.
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"We have not forgotten that Kenyans haven't wiped the tears of several young people brutally butchered after GenZ protests. Who gave shoot-to-kill orders and archaic brutality on women, children, and innocent civilians? Who deployed GSU and RDU officers to exercise unlawful, lethal, and brutal police force on innocent Kenyans in Ang'ata?" he questioned.
Gachagua further described the forceful displacement of people from Ang'ata Barrikoi as a crime against humanity, insisting that those responsible must be held to account.
"This forceful displacement of population is a crime against humanity, and whoever is culpable must face crimes against humanity.
"I am gathering evidence and information on this matter, and we will name and shame those responsible for this heinous act. We can not afford, as a nation, to live in dictatorship and brutality when the world is on a trajectory to prosperity and greatness of its citizens," he concluded.
In an update on the situation, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen assured residents that the government is taking every necessary step to restore peace in the area.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday evening, the CS said efforts to restore peace in the area will continue throughout the night.
"We have done everything possible to reinforce the security in that area, and we will continue doing so over the night because we understand that the situation is still volatile," he said.
Murkomen reiterated the government's commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the area, urging residents to remain calm and avoid taking matters into their own hands.
He also addressed claims that the clashes were brought about by an attempt to grab a piece of land, assuring citizens that such wouldn't happen under the serving administration.
"We want to assure our citizens from that area that no one, under this administration, will be able to take away even an inch of any of our citizens' property.
"Therefore, there is no need for them to take the law into their own hands because the government exists to provide security for citizens and their property," he added.
