Transport paralysed at Olololung’a as rioting residents block Narok-Bomet road

Some of the killed cows at Olololung'a on February 14, 2015. Transport on the Narok-Bomet road has been paralysed as residents protest he killing of the cows by a speeding motorist. PHOTO | GEORGE SAYAGIE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The early morning accident occurred at Orgilai bridge when a Narok bound lorry ploughed into the animals that were crossing the road. Several cows were injured.
  • Mr Galgalo, who was accompanied by County Traffic Commander Jane Nyaga and Narok South OCPD Joseph Kipkuri said officers arrived at the scene on time but their pleas to the herders to calm down fell on deaf ears, compelling them to use force.

Hundreds of travellers to and from western Kenya were on Sunday stranded for hours at Olololung’a when residents blocked the Narok-Bomet road to protest the deaths of 20 cows run over by a lorry.

The early morning accident occurred at Orgilai bridge when a Narok bound lorry ploughed into the animals that were crossing the road. Several cows were injured.

There was a 10-kilometre snarl-up before police officers arrived.

Narok Police Commander Abdi Galgalo arrived at the scene accompanied by riot officers. He asked for reinforcements of Administration and regular police officers from Narok North and South to help deal with the situation.

They arrived after three hours.

Mr Galgalo, who was accompanied by County Traffic Commander Jane Nyaga and Narok South OCPD Joseph Kipkuri said officers arrived at the scene on time but their pleas to the herders to calm down fell on deaf ears, compelling them to use force.

“Vehicles from Nairobi to western Kenya have been diverted to the Nakuru-Kericho route,” said Mr Galgalo.

MPs Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok West), his Narok South counterpart Korei Lemei and Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno arrived at the scene and blamed police for using force.

“We are not happy with the handling of the matter. The police officers even threatened to shoot innocent residents who were only demanding their rights,” said Mr Ntutu.

The MPs said they would push for gazettement of speed limit of vehicles plying the Narok route, “because our region is a livestock and wildlife area”.