A section of Kajiado leaders in Kenya’s sprawling Rift Valley region led by Governor Joseph ole Lenku were on Monday barred from accessing the disputed Kibiko communal land following tensions over the subdivision of the prime property.

Governor Lenku, Kajiado Woman Representative Leah Sankaire and other leaders were blocked by police as they attempted to enter the disputed land with security officers barricading roads and firing teargas canisters to disperse the group.

The dispute involves the planned subdivision of 2,800 acres of communal land in Kajiado West valued at approximately Ksh100 billion (774 million) – an exercise that has revived long‑standing ownership wrangles between two rival factions in the community.

Tension escalated on December 22 when surveyors moved into the land to begin the subdivision exercise that sparked protests from one faction that claimed they were being dispossessed of their land.

The situation later turned violent, and last Friday clashes between residents and security personnel left a police officer dead, several people injured and property destroyed.

Addressing the press, Lenku condemned the violence saying leaders must be allowed access to guide the community and ensure justice. He insisted that the Kibiko land belongs to the people through the Keekonyokie Trust and emphasised that no outsiders would be allowed to displace the rightful owners.

“This land belongs to the people of Kibiko. We will not allow our residents to be displaced unlawfully,” he said.

Residents have called on the government to intervene and restore calm, warning that continued unrest could lead to further clashes, disrupt families and cause loss of lives and property.

They noted that the land dispute has persisted for over 20 years and said it was high time the national government stepped in to resolve the matter once and for all.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Rop Janet