The National Police Service has issued an update following a standoff on Friday, January 17, 2025, where several protesters barricaded the Narok- Maimahiu road for hours leaving motorists stranded.
The protesters blocked the road by scattering carcasses of sheep which they said had been knocked down by motorists using the road, leading to running battles with police officers who had come to restore normal traffic flow.
In a statement on Friday, January 17, 2025, the National Police Service said that a police officer who had his hand chopped off during the protest had been airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment.
Narok protesters
“Today on 17/01/2025 at 1100hrs, a group of about 2000 protesters barricaded Narok-Maimahiu Highway at Duka Moja Trading Centre, demanding compensation for the 25 sheep which were killed in a non-injury accident on 16/01/2025 along Narok-Maimahiu Highway at Mitimbili area,” the statement read in part.
The National Police Service also indicated that a total of nine officers were injured after they attempted to calm the protesting youth along the road by firing blanks in the air and using tear gas.
“Two of the seriously injured Officers including an Officer whose hand was chopped off by a Maasai sword, have been airlifted to Nairobi for further treatment. Nairegia Enkare Police Station, Ntulele Police Station, Land Cruiser Reg No.GKB 987T and GKB 273T were also damaged,” police said.
Firearm recovered
Police equally observed that a firearm which had initially been stolen from an injured police officer had been recovered without its ammunition.
“The firearm that was stolen from one of the injured officers has since been recovered without a magazine. While the area is currently calm and traffic flow has resumed on Narok-Maimahiu Highway following a dialogue between Narok East MP Lemanken Aramat and the members of the public at Duka Moja Trading Centre.”
The National Police Service urged residents of the area to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
The residents had closed down the busy road for the better part of Friday, January 17, 2025, after reporting that at least 25 sheep had been knocked dead by vehicles using the road.
Several road users were forced to endure long hours of waiting after the protesters lit fires on the road, effectively making it impassable for other road users.
The residents also engaged the police in running battles leading to injuries and damage to police vehicles brought in to restore order.
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