Tension is high in Kamagut village in Uasin Gishu county, following the mysterious death of four young men from the area.
According to the residents, the four deceased were allegedly shot down by KDF soldiers when they attempted to harvest maize from the KDF farms in the area.
The late mob registered their displeasure at what they termed as a senseless killing of four young men, whose only crime was trying to eke out a living, by doing so trespassing on a farm believed to be owned by the Kenya defence forces.
Three bodies were found in the farm while the 4th one succumbed as he received treatment in hospital.
“Tumeamkia habari ya kushangaza kwamba tumepoteza vijana watoto wetu wanne na wengine wako hospitali na yote ni kwa sababu ya hii kampuni inaitwa Kenya Ordinance Factories,” Paul Yego, a resident said.
Benjamin Lagat, a father to one of the victims, said “Hhuwa wanavuna kwa machine, sasa hao vijana wetu walikua wanachukua marokoto tu ile imebakia after machine kupita.”
The residents have accused the KDF of using excessive force on them, and want the army to engage the community to agree on a peaceful conflict resolution mechanism.
They say a similar accident occurred in the farm, where two young men from the village were gunned down by officers at the KDF, and no action has been instituted against those responsible two years later.
Charles Igiha, the Turbo Deputy County Commissioner said; “kuna kitendo ilifanyika kwa shamba ya jeshi. Inasemekana walikua wemeenda kuvuna mahindi kwa shamaba ya jeshi na wakavamiwa na seurity guard.”
Area MP Julius Ruto noted that as a community, they are going to sit down and approach KDF to have a conversation with them on how they are going to co-exist going forward.
“What has happened is regrettable,” the MP said.
The Deputy County Commissioner further stated that a committee of police officers and members of the community has been formed to investigate what led to the killings.
The injured are receiving treatment at the Eldoret Referral Hospital.
