Six people have lost their lives, while 13 were critically injured following the ongoing clashes in Olooruasi area in Narok South Sub County.
Speaking in a press briefing on Tuesday morning, the Narok County Commissioner (CC), Samuel Kimiti said more than 15 houses have been burnt down in the conflict that began three days ago between the Kipsigis and Maasai communities living in the area.
The CC who was accompanied by area Governor Samuel Tunai and the Narok South Member of Parliament, Korei Lemain said already security has been beefed up in the troubled location after a contingent of security officers were deployed to quell the violence.
“The government will not allow people to be killed in such a reckless manner, we will do everything possible to restore peace in the area,” said Kimiti.
The CC asked all politicians to keep off the clash-tone land and told those with intention of visiting the area to inform his office in advance.
“All politicians should stay in their areas and when one wants to visit the disputed land to inform my office in advance. This is not time to go around politicking, it is time to work for the peace of residents,” reiterated Kimiti.
An angry Kimiti warned those in possession of illegal arms, saying their days were numbered, adding they will be forcefully disarmed if they do not surrender immediately to their local chiefs.
“It is the duty of every resident to be vigilant and report any individual found handling illegal weapons. If you fail to report these people to the authority, they could easily turn against you and harm you instead,” said Kimiti.
Kimiti said they have launched investigations to arrest those planning and fueling the violence and vowed not to leave any stone unturned until all the culprits were punished.
On his part, Governor Tunai condemned the skirmishes promising the county government will work closely with the National government to ensure peace was restored in the volatile land.
“The most important thing is to see our people co-exist peacefully as they have always been. We want our people to enjoy living in harmony because conflicts do not profit at all,” said Tunai.
The governor wondered why the two communities were battling each other at a season when the whole world was focused on fighting the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
“We must end these conflicts by finding a permanent solution. We are leaders of all the people in the county and our concern is everybody to live in peace,” said Tunai.
Olooruasi area that borders Maasai Mau forest is home to the Kipsigis and Maasai communities that have been living harmoniously for a long time.
The fresh fracas were fueled by a young man from the Kipsigis community who stole his father’s cow and sold it to a Maasai man.
Later, when the father followed up on his lost animal and found it in the hands of the Maasai man, he started screaming arousing his community members who turned against the other community.
By Ann Salaton
