Governors vow to end tribal clashes

Nandi County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding warned politicians against fanning tribal clashes. [File, Standard]

Four county chiefs in the Lake Region Economic Bloc have resolved to end cross-boundary hostilities fuelled by land and political differences.

During Monday's International Peace Day celebrations, the leaders from Nandi, Vihiga, Kericho and Kakamega regretted that the clashes had led to unnecessary loss of life and property.

At the ceremony held in Tabolwa, Nandi County, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his counterparts Stephen Sang (Nandi), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Paul Chepkwony (Kericho) and Kisumu deputy governor Mathews Owili agreed to foster peace.

The five resolved to open up economic opportunities in the region to promote social integration especially along Kakamega-Nandi and Kisumu-Kericho borders, which have in the past been centres of clashes.

“This will ensure an end to our trivial conflicts along shared boundaries that have been elicited by politics and boundary fights for years," said Oparanya.

He noted that along the common boundaries, residents living in sections including Gambogi, Kiboswa, Tabolwa, Kamung'ei in Nandi and Muhoroni in Kericho and Kisumu, have often clashed over resources.

Last week, one person was killed while four others were injured following fresh clashes along the Kisumu-Kericho border.

Four months ago, two people were killed and several others injured along the Nandi and Kakamega border following a land dispute.

Through the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the inter-community peace committee facilitated the deliberation made to enhance coexistence among the groups.

Nandi County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding warned politicians against fanning tribal clashes.