Tears flow as families bury Trans Mara clash victims

Pain and anger overwhelmed families of victims of the Esoit clashes in Trans Mara West as they laid their loved ones to rest.

Eight people died during the attacks.

Slain businessman Ben Meronyi Kolian was buried on Wednesday at his Esoit home with relatives, friends and mourners calling for the arrest of the assailants.

His death was the second in the family this year as they lost another relative in similar clashes in April.

“Our tears had not dried following the death of Cecilia Kolian, a sister-in-law of the murdered businessman,’ said Mr Moses Leparan, a family member.

DEVASTATED

He said losing two relatives in five months has devastated the family.

“We lost our parents 10 years ago, I grew up looking up to Ben as my dad,” he said.

Narok Governor Samuel Tunai, Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella, Emurua Dikiir MP Mr Johanna Ng’eno and area MCAs have been urging residents to maintain peace.

Mr Tunai said the two communities, which have lost its members in the bloodbath should bury the hatchet and live in peace.

“We are working around the clock to ensure no more lives will be lost again,” said the governor.

He was accompanied by Narok East MP Ken Aramat and MCAs Michael Seme (Lolgorian), Mark Mukut (Keiyan) and Kuya ole Kijabe (Kimintet).

REVENGE

Mr Ng’eno condemned the clashes saying those behind the attacks should be brought to book.

“Kolian’s death was very unfortunate, but the revenge killings are equally very unfortunate. I am saddened that people can just decide to take the law into their own hands. Revenge does not solve problems but escalates them,” he said.

In the neighbouring Murkan-Junction village, the family of another victim, Anderson Langat was mourning.

Lang’at, 28, was a boda boda rider and was killed by people believed to have been avenging the murder of Mr Kolian.

His grieving mother Beatrice Ng’eno said now has to take care of her son’s young family.

He is survived by a wife and a two-month-old daughter.

JUSTICE

“I do not know where to start. They killed my first born son who used to take care of us. We have been robbed off our livelihood,” she said.

She said the clashes has left young women widowed, children orphaned and parents have lost their children.

“He was innocent and we still cannot understand why the killers turned on innocent, defenceless people. God will avenge for us,” she said.

Mr Musa Langat said his elder brother Langat will only find justice after his assailants are prosecuted.

Clashes in Trans Mara are fanned by retaliatory attacks.

Land tussles have often been blamed for the violence and locals.

Trans Mara West Police Boss David Wambua told the Nation that they were investigating some of the cases.

He said they are investigating the murder of a local, whose body was found outside the house of a chief.
“We are aware that the victim was butchered right at his (administrator) doorstep yet he never came out of his house to rescue him from the assailants. He could have calmed the youths and asked them to let the law takes its course,” he said.