Two killed in renewed Kisumu-Nandi clashes

Two people have been killed in renewed clashes along the Kisumu-Nandi border, displacing over 500 families.

There was tension yesterday along the volatile Nyando sugar belt as the Government deployed platoons of policemen to quell the skirmishes allegedly sparked off by a cattle rustling incident.

Nandi County Commissioner Loyce Mulili said the second person was killed at Kopere market. “I am on the ground with security officers and the situation is now calm,” she said.

Two schools have been closed and residents kept off their farms for fear of being attacked. Their houses and sugar cane plantations were burnt allegedly to avenge the killing Elijah Kipruto on Monday morning.

St Gabriel Boarding and Songhor primary schools, located along the border, were closed and children sent home.

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Women and children from both sides were seen shivering at Songhor Post Office and Achego police post where they spent the night.

Muhoroni Sub-County AP boss Julius Mukanda said the man who was killed was on the list of most-wanted cattle rustlers but condemned his killing. He also warned locals against taking the law into their own hands.

“We have always advised communities not to take the law into their hands. We had placed Mr Kipruto on the wanted list of those wanted for engaging in cattle rustling but then it was against the law for anyone to take his life,” said Mr Mukanda.

He said Kisumu and Nandi counties are carrying out a joint security operation to restore normalcy in the area.

“We are reaching out to the both communities to locate the four heads of cattle that have not been accounted for even as we do our best to main peace,”  he said.

Consequently, heavily armed youths blocked the busy Nandi Hills-Kisumu road accusing the police of protecting one side during the skirmishes

Yesterday afternoon, security officers from both sides attended a meeting chaired by Kisumu County Commissioner John Elungata. However, details of the meeting were not released as the officials declined to speak to the media.

The Standard witnessed a group of heavily armed attackers torch a house near Kopere before disappearing into a sugarcane plantation.

APPEAL FOR PEACE

Four people were admitted to Chemelil Dispensary with panga and arrow wounds. The facility’s senior clinical officer John Ogolla said the victims were brought with arrow heads still lodged in their bodies.

The victims were identified as Shem Odiwuor, 24, Jacob Ochieng,34, Fanuel Ochuka, 28, who had an arrow in his chest, and Wyclife Mori.

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma said it was unfortunate that the skirmishes had re-emerged in the area. “I am appealing for peace as we look for a permanent solution along the border,” said the governor.

Some 76 head of cattle were allegedly stolen from a herdsman before the violence erupted on Monday morning. Things got worse as villagers from Kisumu County side pursued the alleged cattle thieves into Songhor Hills where the victim was killed and two people injured. 

A retired civil servant from the Nandi who identified himself only as Kipsang condemned the killing of the suspected cattle rustler.

“This was an isolated case that could have been resolved without shedding blood. It is sad that it had to go this far,” said Kipsang.

Soba chief Julius Tuwei in Tinderet declined to speak to the media.

Billy Nyakongo, whose house was burnt down, said he had sought refuge at the Songhor Post Office when he was called by his sister who informed him they had been attacked.

“I called the police to inform them about what had transpired but they said they do not trust me. They said I should meet them face-to-face to report the incident. I went but by the time we got home, it was already too late; my house and that of my father had been burnt down,” added a distraught Mr Nyakongo.