What is going on in Narok County?

Maasai defy Joseph Nkaissery ban and hold demos against Narok Governor Samuel Tunai alleged corruption

By Standard Reporter
Updated Monday, January 26th 2015 at 15:16 GMT +3

Huge crowds of Narok residents accompany MPs Moitalel Kenta, Korei Lemein, Patrick Ntutu and Senator Stephen ole Ntutu to present their grievances to Governor Samuel Tunai. A section of local leaders want Tunai out for allegedly mismanaging the county. They are now outside the county offices ready to present their petition. About 500 police present.

Protesters block key road to press for release of five Narok leaders




Narok, Kenya; Narok fell in the grip of day-long chaos after protesters barricaded major roads cutting through the county to press for the release of five area MPs arrested following Monday's violence that claimed two lives.

As bonfires and boulders blockaded roads in the South Rift county, a Nairobi court released the MPs on bail and with a warning by prosecutors that the charges facing them could be scaled up to include murder. This is a serious capital offense that takes long to try and attracts punitive punishment, including long sentences and even death penalty, if one is proved guilty.

However, the prospect of murder charge did not feature in the subsequent presentation by Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko when he finally addressed the court seeking the release of the leaders as part of the measures to stop the chaos in Narok.

Yesterday, Senator Stephen ole Ntutu as well as county's four members of the National Assembly – Moitalel ole Kenta ( Narok North), Korei Lemein ( Narok South), Patrick Ntutu ( Narok West) and Johana Ngeno (Emurwa-Dikir) – walked to freedom after a night in the police cells and finally appearance in court.

They were arrested on Wednesday after protests against Narok Governor Samuel Tunai turned violent.

Violence escalate

Protesters had taken to the streets on Wednesday night after learning of the arrests but the violence escalated yesterday when Narok Town was brought to a standstill and rioters barricaded the Narok-Bomet highway that is the gateway to South Rift and Nyanza.

See Also: CORD wants officer who used live bullets be reprimanded

Businesses were shut down and hundreds of travellers, including tourists, stranded for several hours as the mayhem that began on Wednesday at 8pm raged.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that scores of protesters and police were injured. County Regional Commissioner Kassim Farah could not be reached for comment.

Some of the roads affected double up as main tourist circuit for the World renown Masai Mara National Game Reserve.

In Nairobi, the five MPs were released on a personal bond of Sh500,000 each after the prosecution made a hasty retreat and withdrew an application seeking to have them detained for seven days to allow police complete investigations over alleged incitement.

Tobiko arrived in the courtroom as proceedings were progressing and informed the court he wished to withdraw the application to detain them longer, citing tension in the town after residents blocked the busy Narok-Bomet highway.

Earlier State counsel Daniel Karori and Duncan Ondimu, who had sought the seven-day detention at Muthaiga Police Station, told the court they were likely to face murder charges alongside incitement to violence.

"We require seven more days to complete forensic investigations with a view to preferring serious charges including murder and the said investigations are likely to take longer," Mr Karori had told court.

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Enock Cherono directed the five to report to Criminal Investigations Department headquarters once a week until February 13 when they will appear in court for further directions. (See separate story)
Hundreds of angry demonstrators armed with swords and clubs closed roads leading to and out of Narok town in Ntulele, Narok Town Bridge, Ololulung'a, Katakala, Uaso-Nyiro, Rotian, Enengetia, Talek and Loita.

In Katakala along Narok-Bomet Road, anti-riot police officers were forced to fire rubber and live bullets to disperse agitated armed youths who had blocked the road using thorn tree branches and boulders.

Youths also blocked the Narok-Maaai Mara Road preventing tourists from leaving or entering the Mara, a major revenue earner for the county.

Narok-Bomet Road was blocked in Katakala and Ololulung'a while the Narok-Mai Mahiu sectiom was cut off at Ntulele market.

Business owners hurriedly closed down their premises as demonstrators sought refuge inside shops and petrol stations after police used teargas to disperse them.

Among the affected businesses were supermarkets, banks, hotels and Narok County Government offices as the trading hub turned into a ghost town.

Police sent in to quell the riots at one point ran out of rubber bullets and tear gas canisters, forcing their bosses to make requisitions from neighbouring stations.

Anti-riot police had attempted to use diplomacy to end the impasse but the protesters would not budge.

Anti-riot police led by Narok County Police Commander Clement Gatogo fired bullets and tear gas to contain the rowdy youths.

Gatogo explained the deployment of police was to ensure that roads were not closed.

"We will stage seven-day demonstrations until the Government listens to the cries of Narok people. Chest-thumping and threats by the State to silence us through the arrest of our leaders will not stop this cause," shouted a demonstrator.

In the morning, two people sustained serious injuries after they were attacked by youths who reportedly suspected them to be sympathetic to Tunai at Chepalungu village in Narok South.

On Monday, Ntutu led hundreds of locals in a demonstration to protest against alleged misappropriation of billions of shillings from Masai Mara Game Reserve by the embattled Governor that turned deadly. Travelers were stranded for more than eight hours.

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) demanded action against police officers who used live bullets.

CORD argued that tendency by the Jubilee regime to refuse to provide leadership in situations of conflict and resort to violence was worrying.

"Brute force is inconsistent with the demand placed on us as a nation for a reformed and people-friendly police service. Kenyans demand and deserve higher standards. The Jubilee regime has refused to provide leadership in situations of conflict and resort to violence as a solution," read part of CORD statement issued after a parliamentary group meeting in Nairobi yesterday.

Standard Digital News : : The Counties - Protesters block key road to press for release of five Narok leaders

Maandamano ya kupinga ufisadi county ya Narok na kushinikiza kuachiliwa uhuru viongozi wa kaunti waliokamtwa. Tayari viongozi wamechaliwa kwa dhamana na kupokelewa na Agwambo tinga tinga!

This is all the repurcation of electing corrupt leaders into office. Kenyans should not repeat similar mistakes in the coming general election. Had you elected CORD, you would be living and undertaking your daily activities peacefully. So please guys, I urge to vote for CORD in the next election.