Senators demand answers as security agencies fail to act on land threats

The Senate has raised concern over what it describes as a worrying pattern of police inaction and delayed response in cases involving deadly land disputes across the country.

They are now demanding clear answers from the National Security Committee on why law enforcement agencies have failed to act decisively, even after formal reports were filed.

The matter was brought to the Senate by Senator Richard Onyonka, who highlighted a series of attacks tied to unresolved land conflicts.

He cited the case in Metembe village, Masaba South Sub-County, Kisii County, where five members of a family were brutally murdered in April this year and their homes torched in a mob attack linked to long-standing land issues.

Two other family members narrowly escaped the attack.

In another reported case at Nyamasibi Police Post under OB No.05/13/04/2025, Evans Obiero, his wife Kerubo and their children fled their home after receiving death threats from armed gangs over a polygamy-related land dispute.

In both cases, reports were made, but no swift action was taken to prevent the violence or protect those at risk.

The Senate also noted the recent arson attack in Sigomere, Ugunja Sub-County, Siaya County, where nine family members were burnt to death on 22nd April 2025 over a land feud.

Senator Onyonka told the House that these incidents expose serious gaps in the country’s internal security response and must be investigated thoroughly.

He called on the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, led by Senator Fatuma Dullo, to look into the slow or inadequate police response in all reported cases.

"The Committee must also tell us whether the Government could consider forming a national taskforce or commission to address the root causes of recurring and now deadly land-related conflicts," Senator Onyonka said.

He also asked the Committee to state the progress made in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators behind the killings in Kisii and Siaya counties, and to report what immediate and long-term security measures the Government plans to take to protect families.

The Committee is now expected to table its findings and policy recommendations in the Senate, including steps for improving police accountability and resolving polygamy-linked land inheritance disputes.