General Service Unit (GSU) and Anti-Stock Stock theft Unit officers have been deployed to the Nyanza-Rift Valley border, as death toll from Friday border clashes rose to six.
The decision came as leaders from the two sides blamed each other for the perennial skirmishes.
Tindiret MP Julius Melly yesterday held a security meeting in Chemase with Nandi County administration and local leaders. “The units will put an end to cattle rustling that has been the main cause of clashes in the Nandi-Kisumu border for years now,” he said.
The officers will be stationed at Chemelil, Kibigori and Chemase trading centres.
Nandi County Commissioner Mathenge Thuku, AP boss Charles Oketch, Tindiret Sub-county administrator Felista Maiyo were among public administration officials who attended the day-long security meeting. Kisumu County Police Commander Nelson Njiri said some residents are ready to identify their attackers and added that suspects would be brought to book.
READ MORE
Bombing of livestock will not end cattle rustling menace in North Rift
Baragoi town rises from ashes of banditry, deadly ethnic conflicts
Kisumu County Commissioner John Elungata said a joint security meeting between Nandi and Kisumu counties officials would be held to tackle outstanding issues.
He said the clashes were a result of cattle rustling. “Both sides of the administration should calm down and focus on how to unite the two communities,” Elungata said.
Other causes
Skirmishes have been common on the Rift Valley-Nyanza border, with claims they are being deliberately fanned by individuals.
Yesterday, Western Region Coordinator Francis Mutie accused government administrators and politicians in Rift Valley of being unhelpful in the investigation. “They are not co-operating and are reluctant to return stolen animals from Nyanza. They are provoking residents of Nyanza. I accuse chiefs from Rift Valley of colluding and allowing mobilisation of 500 attackers to come and raid Nyanza. I know politicians are giving logistical support, including food, to the attackers,” Mutie said. He added: “If the Rift Valley administrators do not act, my officers will cross cross the border to search for stolen livestock.”
He called on the National Security Administrative Committee to visit the area to help foster peace.
He was speaking at Kibigori area when he led a team of security officers to the area. The leaders from Nyanza and Rift Valley have blamed the police for growing insecurity.
Since 2014, 15 people have died, thousands displaced and injured in such skirmishes. The affected areas include Nyakach-Kericho border, Muhoroni-Nandi border and Kajulu-Kibigori-Nandi border.
Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir asked police not to take sides because it could have dangerous ramifications. "This is dangerous as we head into elections,” Shabbir said.
He called on leaders from both sides to convene an urgent meeting to resolve the matter.
Muhoroni MP Onyango K’Oyoo said there was need to stem cattle rustling in the area. “We have co-existed in this area, done business and even intermarried. Those perpetrating chaos must be brought to book,” K’oyoo said.
But Melly cited tribalism and unsolved land issues. “Leaders from both sides need to sit and resolve inter-community conflicts along the Nandi and Kisumu border once and for all. We need to resolve problems that centre around land, inter-ethnic rivalry and cattle rustling,” he said.
Not me
Martin Douglas, the Chemase Member of County Assembly, dismissed claims that the attacks were instigated by politicians.
"I have been promoting peace efforts in these border towns,” he said.
Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma condemned the violence. “Police must find the root cause of the problem because it now appears it has gone beyond cattle rustling,” Ranguma said.
He added: “We have lived in peace with our neighbours and those breeding hatred between the local communities living at the border must be stopped."
Simiyu Werunga, a security expert, said greater efforts must be expended to promote peace.
“The government must ensure all Kenyans are secure wherever they are. It should identify and punish the perpetrators,” Mr Werunga said.
“Let the security ministry form a committee and visit the regions as it did during the Meru-Isiolo border row. Government should involve the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to gazette the agreed boundaries and settle the matter.”
