One killed, several injured as police and civillians clash in Transmara

One person was killed and several others injured, including six police officers, after police moved to arrest miners allegedly defying a directive to halt operations at the site.

Residents now accuse authorities of targeting their source of livelihood.

An amateur video clips captures dramatic scenes of confrontation outside Lolgorian Police Station on Friday, as angry residents clashed with police officers over the arrest of miners from the Kilima Pesa gold mining site.

Residents, armed with stones, confronted police officers demanding the release of miners arrested for defying a government directive to halt operations.

The confrontation lasted for nearly three hours, leaving one person dead and several others injured, including six police officers.

“Wananchi walivamia police station, na ilibidi tutafute reinforcement, we had one fatality,” says Enrico Telewa, Transmara police commander.

But even as tension remained high, residents questioned the eviction order, saying the area has been their source of livelihood despite frequent tragedy at the mines.

“Hakuna haja ya kuuwa wananchi na risasi, we want IPOA to investigate the matter,” says Kennedy Kisile, a resident of Transmara.

“Mimi mwenyewe nilijaribu kufika hapa nikapigwa mawe..watu pia waweze kutii sheria,” Michael Seme, the Lolgorian MCA adds.

But for some miners, the clashes have compounded their losses, with claims that property and mining equipment were destroyed during the operation at Kilima Pesa.

“Serikali ikitaka mlima ya Kilima Pesa si wakuje waongee na Moyoi group..Rais uko hapa jirani yetu usitupige hivyo,” says Moses Tikiran, a gold miner.

Among those receiving treatment is a 19-year-old student who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the confrontation.

As calm slowly returns to Lolgorian, residents are now calling for investigations into Friday's deadly confrontation, amid growing concerns over the future of mining activities at Kilima Pesa.