Border clashes: CS orders reopening of schools

The government is committed to fostering peaceful co-existence and cohesion between all communities as a critical foundation for economic development and stability, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

Speaking when he met a section of leaders from the two counties of Narok and Kisii, Murkomen stated that following inter-communal skirmishes along the Narok-Kisii border, the government immediately deployed additional security personnel to contain the situation.

The conflict, he said, has since quelled and calm has returned to the area.

He also stated that they will visit the area Friday for talks with leaders and residents from two communities to address the menace and find sustainable solutions to the problem.

“We resolved to hold two meetings this Friday in the affected area to kickstart the peace-building process,” he said.

“I have also directed schools and health centres that had been closed because of the security situation to re-open immediately and security to be beefed up to ensure safety.”

The security personnel on the ground are under instruction to apprehend anyone found carrying weapons in the area and those fanning animosity between the two communities.

Present were MPs Julius Sunkuli (Kilgoris), Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Rebecca Tonkei (Narok County Woman Rep), Alfah Miruka (Bomachoge Chache) and Gloria Orwoba (Nominated Senator).

At the same time, Kisii and Narok County leaders met in Kiango to solve the issue.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Narok’s Patrick ole Ntutu met as part of efforts to solve the attacks.

Kisii County Commissioner Joseph Kibet said a suspect was arrested Monday morning in South Mugirango over cattle rustling.

He has already been handed to the DCI for further interrogation, Kibet said at Kiango ahead of a peace meeting between the Kisii and the Maasai.

"We are already investigating who this suspect has been dealing with across the border in conducting the illicit trade," stated Kibet.

Arati, on his part, condemned the ethnic skirmishes describing them as primitive and time-wasting.

"We should not be talking about cattle theft in times like today, a time when we should be talking about education and development," Arati stated.

He asked the security personnel deployed to the troubled spot to up their game and stop the carnage saying both counties cannot afford to lose more lives in the conflict.

"If Kenyan security forces manage the Al-Shabaab in Somalia, then they have the capability to tame these skirmishes," said Arati.

At least four people, two from each side, have died in the weeklong ethnic violence. Dozens others are nursing arrow injuries in various hospitals in Kilgoris and Kisii.