Over 10 injured in chaotic Kajiado farm elections as land officials watch helplessly

By , K24 Digital
On Fri, 11 Jun, 2021 11:33 | < 1 min read

Scores of people were on Thursday evening injured and properties destroyed in a chaotic Shompole group ranch officials election in Magadi Kajiado West sub county.

The more than 6,000 members were to elect their leaders in readiness for subdivision of 62,400 hectares of land.

At first members opposed the infamous mlolongo (queuing) election style and opted for identification of genuine members from the register.

By 5pm, only 600 members had been identified. However, the two registers of names were not tallying to the chagrin of a section of disgruntled members.

By 6pm chaos erupted with residents disrupting the exercise as Kajiado land officials and other government officials watched helplessly.

Some youths began pelting stones on vehicles and deflating tyres before the warring parties engaged in fierce pelting of stones that left more than 10 people injured.

Police officers were forced to lob teargas canisters to the charging crowd and evacuated journalists and land officials present.

It has since emerged that the youth who caused chaos were incited and funded by a politician. Sources say the the ranch members have in the recent past had sharp political divisions forming two political factions.

The elections have since been postponed indefinitely.