Youth clash over Bomet varsity land

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Joyce Laboso (Centre) Bomet East MP Bernard Bett and Senator Wilfred Lesan address the press outside Bomet High Court. Business in Bomet town was interrupted for the better part of Monday morning after two youth groups clashed. (PHOTO: GILBERT KIMUTAI/ STANDARD)

Business in Bomet town was interrupted for the better part of Monday morning after two youth groups clashed.

One group is allied to Governor Isaac Ruto and the other Bomet Central MP Ronald Tonui.

Chaos broke out after the MP was blocked from accessing the Bomet High Court for the hearing of a case on the proposed land for the Bomet University.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso, Bomet Senator Wilfred Lesan and Bomet East MP Bernard Bett had to be escorted by armed police officers onto the court premises after the youth armed with stones got rowdy.

The decision by the youths allied to the governor to block Mr Tonui angered his supporters who staged a retaliation leading to a confrontation.

The two groups engaged in running battles as they hurled stones at each other forcing the police to intervene.

Bomet OCPD Abel Sande led a contingent of anti-riot police in thwarting the confrontation using teargas.

"This is lawlessness we cannot entertain and it is sad that they are injuring themselves over a matter that is being handled in court," said Mr Sande.

The fracas unfolded as an inter-parte hearing over a dispute on the proposed university land was underway at the High Court in Bomet.

The parties in the case agreed during the hearing that all petitioners' applications in various courts, including one restraining MPs from further commenting on the matter, be withdrawn.

Judge Martin Muya also directed the county government to continue utilising the suit property as a dumpsite as earlier ruled.

"All interested parties are hereby restrained from meddling in the suit property," Justice Muya ruled.

Dr Laboso said it was sad that the matter had delayed the project.

"It is regrettable that we had to come to court but we are, however, optimistic that at the end of the case, the university project will take off," she said.