Nine police officers injured in a violent clash with Maasai herders along the Narok-Kisii Highway have been treated and discharged from various hospitals, authorities confirmed.
Background of the Incident
The chaos erupted on Friday at Duka Moja when herders blocked the busy highway to protest the death of their livestock, which had been struck by a bus the previous night. The protest spiraled into violence as anti-riot police attempted to disperse the angry residents.
Amid the confrontation, three civilians lost their lives, and one officer sustained serious injuries. The herders were accused of snatching a firearm from one of the officers during the altercation.
Survivor’s Account
Florence Kemunto, one of the survivors, recounted the harrowing ordeal. She sustained gunshot injuries while caught in the crossfire.
“I was coming back from the farm when I heard about the protests. Suddenly, the police started running. As I sought refuge in a nearby hotel, I got shot,” she explained from her hospital bed at Narok Referral Hospital.
Kemunto revealed that two bullets remain lodged in her body, and she will require close medical monitoring in the coming days. “I wasn’t even part of the protest. It’s heartbreaking that I got injured while trying to stay safe,” she said.
Police Response
Narok County Police Commander Riko Ngare confirmed that the injured officers had received medical attention and were discharged on Saturday evening. He also noted that the residents returned the firearm taken during the clashes, helping ease tensions in the area.
Escalating Violence
The clash highlights rising tensions between local communities and authorities in the region. The Maasai herders were incensed over the loss of their livestock, which they depend on for their livelihoods. The Friday protests were intended as a demonstration of their grievances but escalated into a deadly confrontation.
