A police officer was killed while several civilians were injured and two motorcycles burned in Kibiko, Kajiado West sub-county, following an ongoing standoff over communal land subdivision.
The slain officer was among several officers injured after they were ambushed by a group of rowdy youth on Christmas Day while providing security to surveyors erecting beacons on the disputed land, police said.
Several civilians also sustained injuries during the melee.
Seven suspects were arrested and are currently in police custody, awaiting arraignment.
The youth, armed with arrows, spears and other crude weapons, are said to be working in cahoots with a section of local leaders opposed to the land subdivision process.
They have rendered the area insecure in the standoff.
Two motorcycles were torched on Friday night before their riders were attacked with pangas by a rival group.
The riders are among those currently receiving treatment in different hospitals, police said.
Security has since been beefed up to ensure the land beaconing exercise continues uninterrupted.
The bone of contention is the subdivision of 2,800 acres of land valued at about Sh100 billion, with leadership wrangles pitting two rival factions against each other for years.
One faction claims to be the legally recognised leadership endorsed by the government and says it is ready to issue title deeds to all members.
The group claims that those opposing the ongoing process sold their shares to outsiders many years ago.
Kajiado County Commander Alex Shikondi has warned individuals fueling violence for personal gain, saying security agencies agreed to provide protection only after scrutinising documents presented by the faction currently erecting beacons.
He said they are pursuing those behind the attack. Earlier on December 23, another group attacked motorists in the area leaving three of them with serious injuries.
And a police officer attached to the Nachola General Service Unit camp in Baragoi, Samburu County was arrested over claims of murder.
This is in relation to a murder incident that happened in the area on December 25, police said.
He was arrested on Sunday ahead of planned arraignment.
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