Fresh Violence Erupts in Kibiko as Keekonyokie Land Dispute Intensifies
Kibiko, Kajiado County — Fresh clashes have erupted in Kibiko following renewed tensions over the long-contested 2,600-acre Keekonyokie land, leaving one person injured and property destroyed. The confrontation, which flared late Wednesday night, marks the latest escalation in a dispute that has simmered for years and now threatens to destabilize the wider Kajiado West region. Police and local administrators spent the night at the scene in efforts to prevent further retaliation between rival groups laying claim to the expansive land.
According to local accounts, the violence began when one faction allegedly launched an attack on families occupying a section of the disputed land, sparking a retaliatory assault. In one incident, a family reported heavy losses after their vehicle was torched by attackers believed to be from the opposing side. By Thursday morning, the national government had deployed additional police to reinforce the initial security team and restore calm. Kajiado West Deputy County Commissioner Lydia Munyi, who is leading the operation, urged residents to refrain from acts that could inflame the situation further, assuring the community that authorities were engaging concerned parties to find a sustainable settlement.
The root of the conflict lies in long-standing disagreements over ownership rights, with reports indicating that the government issued title deeds to one group—an action that reignited tensions and deepened mistrust between factions. Community members say the documents have only widened the rift, as those without titles view the move as an exclusionary act that disregards their historical ties to the land. Security sources have expressed concern that both sides are arming themselves, heightening fears of a larger confrontation if mediation efforts fail.
As security teams maintain a heavy presence in the area, elders and leaders from the Keekonyokie community are intensifying calls for dialogue before the conflict spirals out of control. The government has promised to continue its consultations with all affected parties in an effort to address the dispute lawfully and restore lasting peace. Residents are hopeful that the latest intervention will pave the way for structured negotiations, but many caution that without transparency and equitable solutions, the land row may continue to fuel instability in the region.