MP’s kin shot dead in Kerio clashes

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi's uncle William Lochuria Loikwang'ayel Suter, 72, who was killed by bandits in Sewes Village on the Marakwet East-Pokot Central border on February 8, 2017. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Endo Ward Member of County Assembly Festus Kirop said the government should step in to end the violence.
  • MCA says residents have no other choice than to arm themselves.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi's kin was shot dead Wednesday night in the Kerio Valley.

The killing of William Lochuria Loikwang'ayel Suter, 72, an uncle of Mr Sudi, has raised to 40 the death toll from the endless clashes between the Pokot and Marakwet.

The incident happened barely a day after two other people were killed in the same area.

The old man was shot in his house shortly after arriving from Sewes Village, on the Marakwet East-Pokot Central border.

He had driven his cattle to a neighbouring location following cattle raids that have hit the area.

"He was resting in the house when the bandits sprayed him with bullets. He died on the spot and the assailants did not steal anything from him," said Kaben Location Chief Joseph Lokanda.

Endo Ward Representative Festus Kirop said the government should step in and end the violence.
He said the Jubilee government has failed the people of Marakwet who he said have no other choice but to arm themselves.

The clashes started in April 2016 and efforts by security agencies to end the fighting have been frustrated by retaliatory attacks.

Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos has urged the government to deploy Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to end the clashes.

“The only remedy left would be deployment of KDF. Because the government has tried all options but none has been successful,” he said.