Two people are nursing gunshot wounds inflicted by police officers in a land dispute between residents of Kambi Waya village in Chepchoina, Trans Nzoia County, and the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC).
Both sides are claiming ownership of the 1,500-acre piece of land with locals protesting the move by the corporation to till the land before a court matter is settled.
Locals here living in fear after confrontation with the police over the parcel of land claimed by the ADC but which locals say is rightfully theirs.
The two are receiving treatment at the Kitale referral hospital.
“Walikuwa wanapanda so hawakuwa wanataka watu Kwa kambi, saamimi nilitoka sikuwa najua, sa Ile natoroka wananipiga risasi. Wakanipeleka hospitali,” one of the victims, Gideon kipsang, says.
At the Kamba Waya village, many are counting losses, their houses and property having been destroyed in the conflict.
Thirty families here claiming ownership of the land which they claim was occupied by their forefathers.
“Ile kitu najua kuhusu hii shamba najua hii shamba nin yetu, mababu zetu walitwambia hii shamba ni yetu na pia kuna stakabadhi wametuonyesha na Hata Mimi mwenyewe nimewai ziona, kuna title deed iliyo kortini,” one of the residents who identified himself as Micah told Citizen TV.
“Na wakalipua watoto wetu wawili, Kwa hivyo maaskari walituvamia kulingana na kuishi kwetu , hatuna letu,” another added.
The locals say the ADC was out of step to use the land awaiting the determination of a case in court due for direction on the 8th of May.
The ADC however maintains the locals are invaders who have been frustrating their efforts to till the land.
