President William Ruto has vowed to resolve land disputes in Narok County in the wake of the deadly Angata Barikoi clashes that left at least five people dead, including a child.
The violent confrontation on Monday, April 28, 2025, erupted after residents, asserting historical ownership over a disputed 6,800-acre parcel of land, blocked a major road to prevent land officials from conducting a survey.
The standoff escalated into clashes with police, leading to multiple casualties on both sides.
Speaking during a development tour in Narok County on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Ruto, while addressing the incident, acknowledged longstanding land disputes in the region and revealed that he had already initiated peace talks between community elders.
“We have had land problems here in Narok. But I want to assure you that we will solve all these issues. Even the recent unfortunate incident in Angata that resulted in violence – I have called Kalenjin elders and Maasai elders, and we have agreed on how to resolve that matter to ensure peace prevails and everyone gets their rights,” he stated.
Ruto assured residents that similar efforts were being made in other affected areas, including Narok West, where disputes remain unresolved.
“Today we want to ensure that those who are fighting there also get their issues straightened out. We want every citizen to have a title deed for the land they live on, so they can have assurance that it belongs to them and continue building our nation,” he added.
Covering expenses
Ruto’s statement comes days after Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu pledged to cover all funeral expenses for those killed in the Angata Barikoi violence and meet medical costs for those injured.
In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Ole Ntutu described the deaths as tragic and deeply regrettable, noting that the confrontation occurred amid efforts to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Angata and Moyoi adjudication sections.
“It is deeply regrettable that longstanding land disputes have escalated to such a tragic outcome, particularly at a time when we were nearing the resolution of the conflict… a process I have personally supervised for the past one and a half years,” he stated.
The governor also confirmed that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had been asked to investigate the actions of the police during the incident.
“I have asked IPOA to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law,” he added.
