Clans turn on each other and torch houses after row over land

By EDWIN CHESEREK

Marakwet County: Police in Marakwet East district have stepped up efforts to ease tension in the area after five houses were torched when two clans fought over land.

The incident happened at the weekend at Barbelo trading centre in Endo ward, where the two clans from Kasige village each claim ownership of the property.

It is alleged that the fight started after the clans disagreed over the portions of land each would own following the death of their father.

One of the largest clans is alleged to have taken advantage of their numbers and attempted to seize the property of the smaller clan, leading to a fight.

“The bigger clan was unhappy that the smaller one owned swathes of land. They demanded to be allocated more land because of their larger population,” said Evans Maiyo, a witness.

Land sub-division

He explained that the small clan resisted attempts to have their land sub-divided and surrendered to the other clan, which it claims has a similar-sized share.

“When the bigger clan realised their efforts to convince their relatives were fruitless, they moved in and constructed houses on the land, which the other clan set on fire,” he said.

A contingent of General Service Unit (GSU), Administration and regular police arrived at the scene moments after the incident and contained the fire.

Marakwet East district OCPD Elijah Maina disclosed that the police had arrested one of the arsonists as they attempted to flee.

Area county representative, Festus Kirop, said security meeting will be convened on Wednesday to reconcile the warring clans.

“The situation has been brought under control. We are asking the residents to volunteer information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects who are on the run,” he said.