Three feared dead, 7 police officers injured as Maasai herders protest on Narok-Kisii highway

A violent standoff erupted on Friday along the Narok–Kisii Highway in Suswa, Narok County, leaving at least three people feared dead and seven police officers injured, according to local reports. The confrontation followed protests by Maasai herders who were enraged after a vehicle struck and killed their livestock the previous night. As officers moved in to clear carcasses from the road, the demonstrators pushed back violently, leading to a fierce confrontation that paralyzed traffic and prompted a significant security response. Citizen Digital+2Citizen Digital+2
Background accounts indicate that the clash began early in the morning when police attempted to remove the dead animals from the highway, a move that protesters resisted. The herders, some wielding clubs and machetes, reportedly attacked security personnel. One officer was reportedly hacked and beaten severely, while others sustained injuries and required hospitalisation. Citizen Digital+1 Among the crowd was Florence Kemunto, who says she was struck by a stray bullet despite not being directly involved in the protest; she was later treated at Narok Referral Hospital. Citizen Digital+1 According to National Police Service records, nine officers were seriously hurt, including one whose hand was cut. National Police Service+1
The violent turn of events prompted strong reactions across Narok County. Local leaders and human rights advocates called for restraint and urged authorities to engage with the Maasai community rather than resort to force. Meanwhile, Narok Senator Ledama Olekina expressed deep concern over the loss of life and property, calling on both sides to exercise calm while investigations proceed. Kenyans The Independent Policing Oversight Authority is reportedly looking into the incident to assess whether the police response was proportionate.
In the aftermath, authorities have launched a high-level security operation to track down those responsible and recover a stolen firearm said to have been taken during the chaos. Citizen Digital Moving forward, stakeholders are calling for structured dialogue between pastoralist communities and security agencies, including a review of compensation mechanisms for livestock losses. Some community leaders argue that such mechanisms — if fairly administered — could help prevent similar violent protests in the future.