One killed, scores injured as goons attack Kitengela residents

Police rescued one of the suspected goons who were injured during a fight with residents of the Embakasi area in Kitengela Kajiado County. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

One person was killed and scores injured after goons raided a village in Kitengela, Kajiado county on Wednesday.

Panic gripped Embakasi village after about 25 youths who were allegedly hired by a private developer arrived on motorbikes and unleashed terror on the residents.

However, the attackers were repulsed by Kenya Defence Forces soldiers manning the controversial sheep and goat land.

Immediately word went round that the area was under attack, residents mobilised and managed to corner some of the attackers killing one of them and injuring five others.

Some of the goons fled under the cover of the darkness leaving their motorbikes behind.

Wilson Kisemei, a resident, told The Standard that the goons raided Embakasi village at around midnight.

They descended on the first home, critically injuring an old man and his wife.

"We are shocked by this incident. We were called to rescue our people who were attacked by unknown people. When we arrived here the goons who were armed with machetes also attacked us but we were able to overpower five of them as others fled," said Kisemei.

He said that the bone of contention is prime land.

"We are told that some individuals from Nairobi want to grab the piece of land which was owned by our forefathers before being taken by the government for animal husbandry," said Kisemei.

Some of the arrested suspects told The Standard how they were assigned to reign terror on residents.

Ligan Osoti, 23, said they were paid Sh2,000 each to attack the village.

"We were paid Sh2,000 each, however, we were promised something more after the attack," said Osoti.

Athi River police removed the body to the City mortuary while the injured were rushed to Kitengela Sub-county Hospital for treatment before being arraigned in court.