Ruto's name dragged into bloody Ang'ata land row

President William Ruto’s name has been dragged into a bitter land dispute in Trans Mara South, Narok County, that has left six people dead and scores of others injured.

Ruto’s name cropped up during a public baraza at Ang’ata Barikoi Primary School where senior security officials, led by the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had gone to quell the violence that broke out on Monday.

Angry residents demanded that the president come clean on his involvement in the controversy surrounding the ownership of the 6,300 acres of land at the center of the dispute.

The charged meeting was attended by hundreds of residents, who demanded to be told by senior security officials,  the involvement of the president in the saga.

They also sought to understand the role of Justice Mohamed Kullow, the Environment and Lands Court Judge, and former Narok County Governor Samuel Tunai.

The Standard could not independently verify the claims made by the residents.

Tension escalated at the meeting as Kanja, Amin Mohammed, the DCI director, Deputy IG Eliud Lagat, Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Jasper Ombati, followed keenly as the residents aired their sentiments demanding clarity on the matter.

MPs Nelson Koech (Belgut), Johana Ngeno (Emurua Dikiir) Victor Koech (Chepalungu) and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto were also present.

Julius Chelengech, a resident, maintained that the land belongs to the Kipsigis community.

He said he witnessed the establishment of the boundary of Ang'ata land boundary having accompanied 14 elders and a surveyor in the year 1961.

He said the 14 comprised seven Kipsigis and seven Maasai elders.

Chelengech said he was a young man and he used to cook for them.

"The land is ours, it doesn't belong to any other person. The land belongs to the Kipsigis community and not any other. Whoever will be given land here will have had the blessings of the people of Ang'ata," he said.

He noted that Monday's killings were meant to instill fear in the residents to vacate their parcels of land.

“If you need evidence, call me. If there is a case, I am present. I saw a boundary being established. All the 14 people whom I accompanied during the boundary establishment have since died.” He said.

Michael Kirui, another resident, said if the president wants the land, he should acquire it in peace without harming people.

"If the President wants the land, he should acquire it legally. Our children were shot in the head, they were being hunted. If they don't want us to occupy this land then we should be taken back to our land in Kericho where our fathers were evicted from by the white settlers," he said

Jackson Bii said it was not only shocking but painful to see their children shot in the head.

"We never knew such a time would come. The land belongs to us, no one will intrude. This is home and we are not going anywhere. Tell the President we are not going anywhere," said Bii.

Johana Ruto said they had been informed that Tunai sold the land to President Ruto.

He said on Sunday they received a report that the Trans Mara DCC had said there would be resurveying of the land, adding that the DCC, accompanied by a contingent of police, showed up on Monday, and before arriving at Ang'ata centre, they started shooting. They then entered people's lands with surveyors.

He revealed that in their company, there were two individuals of Indian origin during the resurvey.

"If it's the president who has been lied to, we plead with him to leave our land," he said.

Daniel Soi, on his part, said President Ruto had promised them that they would get title deeds.

"We want the president and Tunai to come and apologize to the people of Ang'ata," he said.

During their address, the locals called for the arrest of Trans Mara DCC Abdihakim Jubat and the transfer of other senior security personnel.

Belgut MP Nelson Koech said if someone was conned he should not disturb people.

"If someone was conned and paid someone to acquire this land then woe unto him. The person should go looking for the brokers". He said.

We will protect the rights of the people of Ang'ata Barakoi. We will tell the king that he will lose it or take care of the people," he said

MP Ngeno said the DCC should be summoned for saying the president took possession of the land. He said the DCC had called a meeting with local chiefs and told them to go inform the people to move out.

Ngeno said it is sad that at the time of the Monday incident, there was a court order on status quo, that the land remain as it is.

Those in occupation were to remain and continue with their activities. The order he said was served

The MP wondered why Jubat, who is a DCC, advised the police to shoot to kill.

Four people, he said, were shot in the head following a directive from Jubat.

"IG order the arrest of Jubat, do investigations while he is in custody," he said

Locals also demanded the removal of ASTU, GSU from the area

“IG we have given you an assignment. You have seen a court order, defying it is a crime, then killing is a double crime.” Ngeno said.

He added, “We need to plan a date and have the president meet the elders. Maybe we have lost touch. He needs to listen to them.”

He added, “People were being shot like birds. We voted in Ruto, some people lied to him that the land belong to them. Some were working in their farms, some were herding People lied to Murkomen; he was misinformed before making his statement.”

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said action should be taken against the killers.

He said they will organize to have the locals meet with the president and ask him whether it’s true he had acquired the land.

"We shall organize and have elders meet the president and ask him whether it’s true he is the one who acquired the Ang'ata land. This is not a small issue, the elders have to meet with the President and have a talk, let them discuss. This government is in place because of your votes," he said.

He disputed claims that he has an interest in that land.

IG Kanja ordered for immediate investigation into the matter, adding that individual officers who contravened the law will carry their cross.

He ordered for immediate transfer of all GSU officers in the area and DCI.