By Nick Oluoch and John Oywa
Kuria MP Wilfred Machage blames politics for the incessant clan fighting in the two districts that his constituency straddles.
Last Thursday, Dr Machage accused politicians whom he did not name of fanning the fighting mainly in Kuria East and partly in Kuria West districts.
Residents of Nguruna Location flee their homes to safer place following clashes between two clans in the area. |
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But Kuria East residents contradict their MP’s view.
The residents claim the renewed skirmishes started soon after a group of politicians insisted headquarters be located at Kegonga, which is inhabited by the Nyabasi clan.
The Bwirege clan, on the other hand, wants the headquarters at Ntimaru, which they say is more central.
"We used to fight over stock theft and land ownership, but this time round, it was sparked by politics. Politicians are using poor villagers to settle scores and dominate leadership of the constituency," said Timon Boke, a schoolteacher.
Although the Provincial Administration denies this, the views from locals is that the row over headquarters is being seen as an ODM and PNU war for supremacy.
The Nyabasi voted overwhelmingly for PNU while the Bwirege supported ODM during the 2007 elections.
Like a militia
"PNU supporters say it was President Kibaki, the PNU leader, who gave them the district hence they must decide where it should be located," said a civic leader who asked not to be named.
Other residents interviewed said clashes had been instigated by politicians to punish clans who did not support them during the elections.
Booming illegal cattle trade between Kuria East and Transmara districts has been mentioned as another reason for the clashes.
Locals claim that cattle stolen from Kuria West are hurriedly herded to Transmara where they are loaded into trucks and transported to other parts of the country.
"This business is what funds the acquisition of guns and ammunition," Mr Chacha Maroa, a resident of Ntimaru said.
According to locals, the rustlers operate like a militia.
"They meet late at night and take oaths before undertaking a number of rituals to bind them in their crimes," claimed a local councillor.
A series of peace meetings has been organised and elders from both sides are expected to use traditional methods to restore peace.
Other clans in Kuria include the Bakira, Bakenye, Bamera, Banchami, Batimbaru, Bugumbe and Nyamongo.
