Elgeyo Marakwet Families Plead with President Ruto, Interior CS Murkomen as Armed Youth Invade Land and Police Inaction Persists
Residents have now appealed directly to President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to intervene, expressing fears that local security agencies may have been compromised.
Mary Keitany breaks down at her home following renewed eviction threats, as Mwende’s husband stands at the blocked entrance of their house—allegedly barricaded by marauding youths—denying the family access to their residence. Photo by Ruth Sang.
Tension remains high in Kipteber, Korongoi Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where marauding groups of youth armed with machetes and crude weapons have been accused of terrorizing families occupying a disputed 37-acre parcel of land, despite a longstanding court ruling affirming ownership.
The land in question, parcel Cherangany/Korongo/1, was legally acquired by Samuel Kipkosgei Keitany from the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) after the initial owner defaulted on a loan. According to court records in Environment and Land Court (ELC) Case No. 378 of 2012 (formerly Eldoret HCCC No. 147 of 2007), the court dismissed claims by Kimoi Ruto and Esther Ruto and upheld Keitany’s counterclaim, granting him exclusive ownership and ordering the plaintiffs to vacate the land within 30 days.
The ruling, delivered in April 2014, resulted in a court-sanctioned eviction in 2015. Subsequent legal attempts to challenge the ownership—including a fresh suit in 2015 and an appeal struck out in December 2023—were dismissed, effectively settling the dispute in favor of Keitany.
However, the situation has since deteriorated, with renewed invasions reported between 2023 and April 2026. According to legal correspondence from Tororei & Co. Advocates, the latest criminal charges against Keitany—filed as Iten Criminal Case No. E389 of 2026—are based on the same facts and issues that had already been conclusively determined by the courts.
“The criminal charges framed against our client are based on matters already determined by the Environment and Land Court and upheld in subsequent rulings,” the lawyers state, terming the prosecution as a duplication of settled legal issues.
The advocates further allege that police officers stationed at Iten and Kapcherop have failed in their constitutional duty to protect life and property, instead giving their client “a cold shoulder” while unlawful invasions persist.
On the ground, residents describe a pattern of violence and intimidation. They claim that individuals linked to Esther Ruto—one of the original plaintiffs—have repeatedly invaded the land, cutting fences , and assaulting occupants in broad daylight.
“On several occasions, they have attacked us, destroyed property, and even set parts of the fence on fire, yet no action is taken,” said Philemon Bett, a resident. “When we report these incidents, the police ignore us or intimidate us further.”
A media visit to the area on April 13, 2026, was met with hostility, as journalists were confronted by armed youth. Attempts to seek police intervention reportedly failed, with the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Kapcherop Police Station allegedly forcing journalists out of the station and declining to respond to distress calls from affected families.
Residents say the inaction has emboldened the attackers.
Purity Mwende, a teacher residing on the land, described the situation as dire.
“They have closed off our gates and issued ultimatums for us to vacate. I bought this land legitimately from Keitany. My life and that of my family is in danger,” she said. “My animals cannot access the homestead. I demand justice and protection.”
Maria Keitany, the owner’s wife, says her family has been pushed to the brink.
“My husband no longer comes home after we were attacked and part of our house was torched. Our children are afraid. We are living in fear,” she said, adding that despite ongoing criminal proceedings, the court had already pronounced itself on ownership of the land.
“The police should act fairly. Those enforcing illegal evictions must be arrested,” she added, visibly distressed.
According to legal documents, tensions escalated further on April 8 and 9, 2026, when the complainants and their associates allegedly barricaded access to the property and issued fresh eviction threats, demanding that occupants vacate or face “dire consequences.”
The situation has also drawn in human rights actors. Esther Ruto is currently represented by activist Kipkorir Ng’etich of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Speaking to the media, Ng’etich confirmed that his organization is pursuing a forgery case against Keitany in court.
However, residents allege that Ng’etich has been invoking the name of senior government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, creating fear among local police and contributing to their reluctance to act.
When contacted by journalists over the alleged police inaction at Kapcherop Police Station, Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge acknowledged the concerns and promised to follow up on the matter. However, by the time of publication, families under distress reported that no police support had been forthcoming despite continued attacks and repeated distress calls.
Legal representatives for Keitany argue that the pattern of events suggests selective application of the law.
“The only logical conclusion is that the complainant appears to be acting above the law, with the tacit support of those mandated to enforce it,” the lawyers state, pointing to multiple uninvestigated reports and documented evidence, including photographs of destruction and medical reports.
They warn that continued inaction could have serious consequences.
“If law enforcement fails to maintain order, there is a risk that affected families may resort to defending themselves and their property,” the letter cautions.
Despite earlier assurances from the Elgeyo Marakwet County Commander after the matter was escalated, no concrete action had been taken by the time of publication.
Residents have now appealed directly to President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to intervene, expressing fears that local security agencies may have been compromised.
As the standoff intensifies, the unfolding events raise critical questions about enforcement of court rulings, the integrity of criminal proceedings, and the role of security agencies in protecting legally established property rights.
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