A police officer shot himself on the leg while quelling a dispute between locals and sand harvesters at Makiliva village in Mwala, Machakos County on Tuesday.
Five lorries had arrived at the place ready to scoop sand only to find locals and police waiting for them.
Area assistant chief Matthew Muli said the officer bent to pick a teargas canister only for a bullet to escape his rifle.
He said the officer was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Muli said the two groups clashed after those who own lorries in the region ferried goons to intimidate the locals.
The locals have been up in arms against sand harvesting not only in the village but the entire sub-county.
"They were ready for a fight and if the police hadn't intervened the situation would have gotten messy," he said.
The residents managed to send away the lorries and their operators.
Muli said sand harvesting remains an illegal business in Mwala.
"We won't relent, illegal sand harvesting should be history in Mwala and we will ensure so," he added.
The locals called on the government to intensify security in the sub-county claiming that sand harvesters had declared war against them.
#hivisasaoriginal