Tension high along Borabu-Sotik border as houses set ablaze

Local youths from Nyamira county armed with weapons at Riontonyi village in Nyamira and Bomet counties boarder on February 12,2016. There is currently existing animosity between two communities erupting from cattle rustling that has resulted to torching of houses. Nyamira County commissioner Josephine Onunga and her Bomet counterpart Benard Leparmai were in bid to reconcile the two communities. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

Tension is high along the Borabu-Sotik border at Riontonyi area after three houses were set ablaze. Yesterday afternoon, youths from the Kipsigis community disrupted a meeting called by two county commissioners, Josephine Onunga (Nyamira) and Benard Leparmaria (Bomet) forcing officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit to intervene.

Gabriel Orito, a resident from Borabu said the area has suffered cattle rustling for a long time but this time round, the conflict has a new twist.

"What we are seeing here is not as a result of cattle rustling. Somebody must be held responsible because arson is criminal. There are allegations that some police officers attached to the Riontonyi Police Station have a hand in this," said Orito.

Josphant Kirui, from Sotik noted that they have lived peacefully since independence adding that some people want to cause animosity between the two communities.

"We need a lasting solution to these border conflicts. We are wasting a lot of time engaging one another in none progressive activities," said Kirui.

The recent clashes was sparked off when a house was torched on Sunday night at Tembwa Shopping Centre, Sotik Constituency in Bomet County. The Kipsigsis claimed the house was set ablaze by somebody from the Kisii community forcing them to retaliate by burning one building in a deserted private school.

The two communities have co-existed peacefully but as the election period nears, the fire is reignited. Conflict along the Sotik-Borabu Border has gone on for decades owing to conflicting territorial claims by the Kipsigis and the Kisii.

The conflict has festered for decades due to unresolved mistrust, animosity and even hatred between the two communities.