Four killed in border dispute between two clans

Four people were killed in Tot location, Elgeyo Marakwet County following a border dispute between two warring clans.

The four died after Kapsiren and Kabishoy clans of the Marakwet community clashed on Thursday. Elgeyo Marakwet County police commander Shariff Abdalla said the four were killed after an exchange of fire ignited by a dispute over land.

“This is another incident inclined to the long existing disputes over community land boundaries and unfortunately four lives were lost in the process,” he said.

Abdalla said the main challenge law enforcers face is the fact that many residents still possess illegal firearms.

“Many people across communities inhabiting the Rift Valley are illegally possessing arms and are quick to engage in war instead of amicably settling their differences,” he said.

Security officers immediately moved to the ground to calm the situation but tension still remained high yesterday due to the possibility of retaliatory attacks. “We urge the public not to panic because we have officers on the ground. The locals need to cooperate with security agents to help us identify the few people igniting violence,” Abdalla urged.

Deputy President William Ruto strongly condemned fighting among the communities and called on local leaders to urgently intervene and prevent more killings.

The two clans have over the years been battling over community land, livestock and pasture fields.