At least four people were on Thursday shot dead and five officers including Gatundu police chief wounded in land clash between two groups at Twiga farm in Ruiru.

The confrontation occurred when people living on the farm mounted resistance to vacate the land.

"Four people have been killed," Central provincial police Chief Francis Munyambu said. "We also have five of our officers injured in the clash."

He said the officers who include the Gatundu police chief were shot with arrows by the group opposing eviction from the farm.

"They have been taken to hospital, they are all in a stable condition," Munyambu said.

He was not willing to discuss circumstances under which the four people were killed, with reports saying they were felled by bullets fired by his officers.

"We have sent more officers to restore order," he said.