Tension remains high in Lolgorian, Transmara South, Narok County, following deadly clashes between police and residents over mining activities at the controversial Kilima Pesa gold mine.
One person was killed and several others injured, including six police officers, during a confrontation that erupted after police moved to arrest miners accused of defying a government directive to stop operations at the site.
The incident unfolded on Friday when residents gathered outside Lolgorian Police Station to demand the release of miners who had been arrested.
Amateur video footage from the area showed groups of residents confronting police officers, with some reportedly throwing stones as they protested against the arrests.
According to Transmara police commander Enrico Telewa, police were forced to seek reinforcement after residents stormed the police station.
“Wananchi walivamia police station, na ilibidi tutafute reinforcement, we had one fatality,” Telewa said.
The confrontation lasted for nearly three hours before calm gradually returned to the area.
Residents, however, questioned the directive to stop mining activities, arguing that gold mining has become an important source of income for the local community.
Kennedy Kisile, a resident of Transmara, called for investigations into the use of force during the confrontation.
“ Hakuna haja ya kuuwa wananchi na risasi, we want IPOA to investigate the matter,” Kisile said.
Lolgorian MCA Michael Seme also condemned the confrontation while urging residents to comply with the law.
“Mimi mwenyewe nilijaribu kufika hapa nikapigwa mawe. Watu pia waweze kutii sheria,” Seme said.
The dispute has also raised concerns among miners who claim that property and mining equipment were damaged during the operation.
Moses Tikiran, a gold miner, appealed to the government to engage representatives of the local mining community before taking further action.
“Serikali ikitaka mlima ya Kilima Pesa si wakuje waongee na Moyoi group. Rais uko hapa jirani yetu usitupige hivyo,” Tikiran said.
Among those injured during the confrontation was a 19-year-old student who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The student was among those receiving medical treatment following the incident.
The latest confrontation has further heightened concerns surrounding mining activities at Kilima Pesa, where residents and authorities have previously differed over operations at the site.
Residents are now calling for investigations into Friday’s incident, particularly the circumstances surrounding the death and injuries.
As security agencies work to restore calm in Lolgorian, attention is turning to the future of mining activities at Kilima Pesa and how the government can address the dispute while taking into account the concerns of the local community.
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