Fresh tension has erupted in three clash-prone villages in Narok South Sub-County after three men were attacked with arrows in a suspected retaliatory attack after a cattle theft incident.
County Police Commander Thomas Ngeiywa said the conflict arose after one cow was allegedly stolen at Ololoipang’i area by cattle rustlers from one community sparking outrage in neigbouring villages of Oloruasi and Nkoben.
“It started when one cow was stolen at around 10pm last night where the villagers raised alarm heightening tension. Upon hearing the screams the other locals armed themselves and the fight ensued,” said Ngeiywa.
He said one person was shot with arrows at night while two others were attacked and left with arrow wounds Saturday morning.
The police boss said those injured were rushed to Ololung’a Sub-County Hospital where minor operations were conducted on them to remove arrows that were sticking out of their bodies.
Three months ago, the volatile area witnessed week-long ethnic clashes that left at least four people dead, scores injured and over 30 houses torched.
The incident also happens barely days after area County Commissioner George Natembeya lifted the three-month curfew at Olposimoru area in Narok North after peace prevailed.
Mr Natembeya had issued a stern warning against locals engaging in the ethnic clashes saying legal action will be taken against them.
The County Commissioner has however appealed to different ethnic communities residing in the cosmopolitan county to peacefully coexist to curb runaway insecurities.
The County police commander also revealed that police have launched a manhunt into the masterminds of the violence.
“The cow that had been stolen was pursued and recovered thus no community should attack the other over anything. We have credible leads and we shall arrest the suspects behind the arrow attacks,” said Mr Ngeiywa.
Cattle thefts have been linked to the inter-communal conflicts in the county.
The violence that broke out at Nkareta area two months ago started after an old man was killed and his 76 goats stolen leading to the ethnic animosity between the neighbouring Maasai and Kipsigis communities.
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