adminKITALE. — Six people were killed on Saturday and several houses set ablaze when a hired group tried to evict squatter families from a disputed farm in Trans-Nzoia County, local official said.
Trans-Nzoia County Commissioner Stephen Ikua said a group of goons hired to evict the families arrived on the farm on Saturday morning and started to torch houses before the families responded.
The 702-acre land is being disputed by two individuals battling ownership of the farm in court.
Ikua said one of the claimants hired and ferried to the farm in a lorry from Kipsongo slum in Kitale, about 30 km away to execute the eviction when the families responded.
The official said the claimant had sought the court in order to be implemented by the government, but it was not possible due to security reasons. “The claimant came to us claiming that he had secured an eviction order from court and wanted it to be effected, but we advised him that it was not possible due to security reasons and we suggested for alternative approach to settle the issue,” Ikua told Xinhua.
The administrator accused sponsors of the attack of taking law into his hands by hiring goons to force the families out of the disputed farm.
“We are holding four goons and we are pursuing their sponsors. We will not allow people to take law into their hands to jeopardise peace,” Ikua said.
Area tribal Chief Protus Wechuli said the attackers took the families by surprise when they descended on their houses, claiming they are illegal settlers and should move out.
Wechuli said there was a running battle between the intruders and the families and six of the attackers were beaten to death while four others were rescued by police who had arrived after being alerted. — Xinhua.
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