Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o on Sunday, August 20 condemned the killing of two people linked to ethnic conflict at Nyakach along the Kisumu-Kericho border.
In a statement, the county boss regretted that a disagreement over stock theft in the area had snow-balled into a full-scale armed ethnic conflict which has created unnecessary tension over the last three days.
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible, the killing of the two residents of Nyakach. These people did not deserve to die for conflicts that could be resolved through dialogue. We send messages of condolence to their friends and relatives,” the governor said.
At the same time, the county boss noted that raids by youths armed with poisoned arrows had left hundreds of people displaced and several others injured.
“Hundreds of people continue to flee their homes, especially in the worst affected areas of Jimo and Kasaye. Economic activities have been adversely affected,” he said adding that he had dispatched his deputy, Mathew Owili, and several senior county officials to the conflict areas to gather first-hand information.
Nyong’o faults Interior Ministry
He faulted the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination over a delayed response to quell the clashes.
“It is disappointing that the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination not contained these fights, three days after tension started building along the common border.
“The national government must have received intelligence about the looming fights and could have nipped it in the bud. If it was about stock theft, where were the officers from the Anti-Stock Theft police Unit, stationed not far away from the border? Have they arrested the culprits?” Nyong’o posed.
“We need urgent and honest reports from the police on what has been causing these perennial conflicts and how they can be stopped,” he added.
At the same time, the governor appealed to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to swiftly respond to the conflict area to help restore peace and find a lasting solution to the ethnic clashes.
He also challenged the affected communities to drop their weapons and live in harmony.
“I also want to appeal to politicians from the Kericho side to hold barazas and asked their people to lay down their arms and give peace a chance.
” On our side, we are already talking to our people to embrace peaceful co-existence with their neighbours. The fights along our borders must stop. Let there be no more deaths, injuries, or destruction of property.,” he averred.
