Nyanza MPs, led by National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi (centre), addressing the media at parliament on October 4, 2023, over the Kericho-Kisumu Sondu clashes that have left several people dead and others injured. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Twenty MPs from Nyanza have raised concern over insecurity along the volatile Kisumu-Kericho border and called for immediate action to restore law and order.

The lawmakers, led by National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, said it is unfortunate that the government is planning to send 1,000 police officers to maintain law and order in Haiti while it is doing little to end the conflict between warring communities along the volatile border.

The MPs who spoke at parliament in Nairobi on Wednesday asked President William Ruto to ensure those behind the conflict are arrested.

"The government should not allow some warlords operating along the border of Kisumu and Kericho counties to continue massacring our people. These killings of our people and the destruction of their property should be stopped so that the situation cannot snowball to something bigger," said Wandayi, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues drawn from Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties

Kisumu West MP Rozah Buyu said it was a big shame that the violence was going on with little action from security personnel yet the Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo comes from the region, wondering why he was not informing his seniors what was happening on the ground.

Buyu advised Omollo to desist from organizing political engagements while forgetting his key role which was to ensure that law and order was maintained across the country.

Nyakach MP Aduma Awuor said seven schools in the border area of Sondu have been closed and called on the government to protect the people and their property failure to which locals may be forced to take matters into their own hands.

Ray Obat nursing injuries at Nyabondo Mission Hospital on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, after being attacked in fresh ethnic clashes along the Kisumu-Kericho border. Three people have been confirmed dead while scores are nursing injuries. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

"The current happenings in Sondu are a clear indicator that some people in government are sleeping on their jobs. The President should direct that action be taken on those who are aiding and abetting the commission of crime along the Kisumu- Kericho border," said Seme MP James Nyikal.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot who spoke on the floor of the Senate asked Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to involve the leaders of the two counties in finding a solution to end the conflict just like he has been doing in other counties facing insecurity terming the current situation very unfortunate.

The Senate Majority Leader called for the transfer of all police officers serving on the border areas of Kisumu and Kericho counties saying that he will engage Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda so that they can spearhead an initiative to promote peace between the two warring communities.

"I am disturbed by the happenings along the border of Kericho and Kisumu counties, it is high time that the political leaders from the two counties be at the forefront of preaching peace among our people who have coexisted for many years as good neighbours," said Cheruiyot.