Security boost in Narok after clashes leave six people dead
Six people have lost their lives, while 13 others were critically injured following the ongoing clashes in Olooruasi area in Narok South.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Narok County Commissioner 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 County Commissioner who was accompanied by area Governor Samuel Tunai and Narok South MP Korei Lemain said security has been beefed up in the troubled location after a contingent of security officers were deployed to quell the violence.
Also Read:
“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.
Keep off area
The county commissioner asked all politicians to keep off the area and told those with intention of visiting the place 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,” said Kimiti.
He warned those in possession of illegal arms that they will be forcibly disarmed if they do not surrender them immediately to their 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.
The commissioner said they had launched investigations to arrest those planning and fueling the violence and vowed not to leave any stone unturned until all culprits were punished.
Tunai condemned the skirmishes, promising the county government would 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 done.
We want our people to enjoy living in harmony because conflicts do not profit at all,” he said.
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 and representative of all the people in the county and our concern is for everyone to live in peace,” said Tunai.
Olooruasi area,which borders Maasai Mau forest, is home to the Kipsigis and Maasai communities that have been living harmoniously for a long time.
The fresh clashes were fuelled by a young man from the Kipsigis community who stole his father’s cow and sold it to a Maasai man. – KNA
