State orders disarmament in Narok as 8 perish in clashes
The government has ordered forcible disarmament in troubled Oloorwasi area in Narok South Sub-county after eight people were killed and dozens left nursing injuries following four-day clashes between two communities living in the area.
Speaking yesterday when he visited the area, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya ordered for an immediate mop-up of illegal weapons in the hands of the residents.
“The security team will move door-to-door searching for any weapons in your possession.
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“Any homestead that will miss spears and arrows will be forced to show where they have hidden them,” said Natembeya.
Natembeya said one of the victims was killed using a gun, adding that the government would not relent until the weapon was surrendered.
“The person in possession of the illegal gun should surrender it to the local chief or just place it beside the road where we can easily find it.
“Otherwise we will forcibly get it and charge him in a court of law,” he said.
Accompanied by Rift Valley Police Commander Marcus Ocholla, Natembeya also took issue with politicians from outside the constituency who tour the troubled area, asking them to keep off as they were deemed to be inciting the residents to violence.
“If you locals have any problem you should look for your local Member of Parliament not calling on people from other areas to come help you resolve your issues.
“However, I advise you to work hard in your farms in a bid to provide for your families as politicians will never satisfy you,” said Natembeya.
The Regional boss asked the Kipsigis and Maasai communities, who have lived together for a long time to embrace brotherhood as God created them to live together.
“Do you think what you are doing is right? I want to assure you that you will always remain together whether you like it or not as no one will move from his or her homestead,” said Natembeya.
Also present in the baraza that saw hundreds of residents from both the communities come together was Narok County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti and top county security team.
Jackson ole Kamweya, a former politician, attributed the clashes to unresolved land issues in the area.
But John Kenduiywo, a resident, blamed large administrative units for the fracas witnessed, saying the area that covers over 50km is manned by only one chief.
“I am a teacher by profession and most of the pupils I teach have never seen a chief.
“We are the people who try to teach them the ethics they should embrace to be good citizens,” said Kenduiywo. – KNA
