Calm finally restored in Kapsabet town after days of running battles

Anti riot police on standby in the streets of Kapsabet, Nandi County after boda boda operators and residents demonstrated against the police for alleged collusion in the protection of criminals. The residents noted that boda boda operators have been the target of robbers who kill or maim their victims before robbing them of the motorcycles. They issued an ultimatum for the police to arrest the criminals. 16-09-2015. PHOTOS BY: KEVIN TUNOI

After days of running battles between police and the public following a chaotic incident where three suspects were lynched and a police camp brought down early this week, calm has returned to Kapsabet town.

Boda boda operators have called off their demonstrations and resumed their normal operations as security personnel continue to patrol key areas after a reconciliatory meeting was held on Wednesday.

A spot check by The Standard yesterday revealed that businesses activities were back to normal, with only ashes besides stones and logs doting sections of the road, reminding passersby of the violence that rocked the area.

"Normalcy is slowly but surely returning to the town after a difficult three days of demonstrations and chaos," Nandi Central Officer Commanding Police Division Joackim Mecha said.

He told The Standard that the security agents were working round the clock to ensure that the 18 suspected boda boda thieves still at large were arrested.

"All security agents are working round the clock to ensure we meet the seven-day ultimatum to arrest these suspects, we are working at ensuring lasting peace and calm," Mr Mecha said.

Special traditional prayers were also conducted at the meeting to cleanse the town of any negative eventualities owing to blood shed and deaths.

The rite was carried out at about 4pm on Wednesday at the Kapsabet roundabout where Nandi elders sought to curse individuals "bearing most responsibility" for the chaos.

Nandi Council of Elders (Kaburwo) Chairman Benjamin Kitur said: "We are just following the footsteps of our fore fathers and the rite's impact has often been achieved."