One killed as clashes erupt over land

Police officers examine the damage caused by farmers in Maella Naivasha who went on the rampage burning seven houses

A person was killed and several houses torched yesterday in volatile Kosovo after two communities clashed over land.

Fear and anxiety gripped the populous centre that borders Eburru forest in Naivasha after the clash involving members of the Kalenjin and Maasai communities erupted.

The area borders Maella centre which last week experienced bloody clashes that left tens of houses burned down and farm produce destroyed.

In the Kosovo incident, the two communities went for each other over the control of the vast ADC farm that has for years been a source of conflict.

Trouble started over the weekend when leaders from the two communities fell out over leasing of the land to farmers during the current planting season.

According to area leader, Josiah Sadera, the issue had been a time-bomb with each community claiming ownership of the vast land.

Mr Sadera said the two communities attacked each other on Saturday evening and the violence spread to yesterday morning leaving one herder dead and scores injured.

"During the clashes, over five houses from both sides were burnt down before police moved in and contained the situation," he said.

He added that three other people were nursing arrow wounds with one rushed to Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital in serious condition.

Naivasha Sub-County Assistant Commissioner John Opondo said although there was tension, the situation was under control with more security officers sent to the area.

"The land in question is owned by the Government but for years the two communities have laid claim to it leading to perennial clashes," he said.

Mr Opondo said the solution lay in the Government repossessing the land or sub-dividing it among squatters in the area.

Naivasha Red Cross Co-ordinator Felistus Kioko said the injured were in stable condition.

Later, senior Government officers toured the area.