Eight injured in Narok-Kisii ethnic clashes in stable condition

One of the two houses that was torched at Ikorongo village in Nyaribari Masaba sub-county in Kisii on October 22, 2016. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ikorongo Location Chief Mr Francis Omidi said warring youths from the two communities are still fighting and are engaging police officers in running battles.
  • Chief Omidi said dozens of police officers had been deployed to beef up security in the area.
  • Deputy President William Ruto is expected to tour the region on Sunday.

Eight people who were injured during fresh fighting between members of the Kipsigis and Kisii communities at Ikorongo area on the border of Narok and Kisii counties are in stable condition.

One of the police officers dispatched to restore calm at the border accidentally fired his gun injuring two of his colleagues, while the other six sustained arrow injuries during the conflict.

They are admitted at Kisii Level Five hospital.

Masaba South Sub-County OCPD Martha Ng’etich said the GSU officers are out of danger.

Also, two houses were torched as the two communities engaged in fierce fighting the whole night on Friday.

Ikorongo Location Chief Mr Francis Omidi said warring youths from the two communities are still fighting and are engaging police officers in running battles.

Chief Omidi said dozens of police officers had been deployed to beef up security in the area.

"But they have engaged police in a cat and mouse game as they continue fighting,” he said.

The two communities have been engaging in retaliatory attacks in the past five months, citing a border conflict and cattle-rustling incidences.

Three months ago, security chiefs from both counties attempted to resolve the border conflict but members of the Kipsigis community were unsatisfied with the new boundaries.

Two people were killed in similar clashes three weeks ago.

One of the dead was a woman who was hit by a stray bullet from police officers who were dispersing warring youths and died at Tenwek Mission Hospital.

RUTO TOUR

Kisii County security committee lead by county commissioner Kula Hache and her Narok counterpart led by Moffat Kangi toured the region two weeks ago and called on the two communities to co-exist peacefully.

Deputy President William Ruto is expected to tour the region on Sunday.

“But we suspect that there are people who do not want him here and that is why they attacked us yesterday night,” said a resident, Mr Shadrack Tonui.

He added that the visit by the Deputy President would be important for both communities as it would help solve the underlying issues.