Locals torch ADC farms after KPR officer kills herder

Agricultural Development Coporation office Kitale. [Courtesy]

A trail of extra-judicial killings at State-owned Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) farms has left many residents with unanswered questions as the cases remain unsolved.

Dennis Kwemoi,40, becomes the latest victim of unchecked alleged police brutality and unaccountability in the area.

The series of killings by the Police reserve unit at the ADC farms has raised eyebrows, with a section of leaders demanding their removal.

Kwemoi's killings at Olkatongo farm sparked protests that led to the destruction of ADC property worth millions of shillings after residents torched 140 acres under sugarcane and a Hay story.

A trail of unresolved cases of alleged extra-judicial killings has been blamed on security officers manning the expansive farms.

As a result, poor and desperate families bury their kin without justice.

Feuds emanating from illegal grazing and trespass are common at the farm, escalating tension leading to bloody confrontations between herders and KPR personnel.

There is also an unending land tussle between the corporation and squatters that has culminated in killings.

Kwemoi, 40, from Kitalale, was shot by KPR personnel last Thursday, an incident that has raised serious concern over continued extra-judicial killings alleged by police officers in Trans-Nzoia County.

A police report seen by the Standard indicates that six KPR personnel were on a routine day patrol within the Arran area of the farm when they intercepted a herd of 20 cows which were illegally grazing in the sugarcane plantation.

The officers drove the cows towards the farm's yard before being confronted by young men armed with pangas and crude weapons intending to rescue the seized cows.

A confrontation ensued, and it is when the KPR personnel fired 26 rounds of 7.62mm in the air to scare the group, but they could not heed.

In the process, the KPR David Otieno Odhiambo, 25, was confronted by the deceased, prompting him to shoot the deceased.

“David Otieno Odhiambo, aged 25, was confronted by one of the men (now deceased) and had his G3 rifle No. Ke-Kp J49664 twice on the butt and hand guard, prompting him to shoot the deceased, who was later identified as Dennis Kwemoi, a Sabaot male adult aged 40 yrs of Kitalale area,” read part of the report.

There were claims that the deceased had charged at Odhiambo before the latter triggered the gun.

Kwemoi was rushed to Kijana Wamalwa Teaching and Referral Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries on arrival.

Odhiambo was arrested and placed in custody.

Protesting residents of Kitalale, in retaliation, stormed Olkatongo farm, torched 140 acres under sugarcane and a Hay store.

Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) regional manager Edward Ojode confirmed that the residents avenged and burned down two sugarcane plantations worth millions of shillings.

Ojode admitted that the KPRs found the cows grazing on the sugarcane farm and confiscated them when the altercation ensued between them and a group of herders.

Ojode said the residents overwhelmed security at the farm and razed down a hay store containing over 10,000 bales.

"The destroyed sugarcane was ready for harvest and, unfortunately, our neighbours are applying force to graze their livestock on our farm," said Ojode.

He said the destroyed property amounts to over Sh28 million.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Riko Ngare confirmed the incident, saying it is under probe by detectives from Endebess sub-county