Tensions between two communities residing along the Kisumu and Kericho county border escalated into a deadly clash resulting in two casualties and the destruction of property. The incident unfolded in Jimo East Location, Nyakach Sub-County.
Nine other victims are currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained from spears and arrows at Nyakach Sub-County Hospital. The confrontation occurred on Saturday night and left several families displaced, with some seeking refuge at Ndori Primary School.
The unrest was triggered by a dispute over stolen livestock, which began when a group of youths reportedly raided Kasaye village in Jimo East Location, Nyakach, and drove off with herds of goats. Allegedly, this act was in retaliation for the purported theft of one of their cattle.
According to a resident named Samwel Alolo, the situation escalated when attempts to recover the stolen goats, believed to have been taken to Soin Sigowet in Kericho County, resulted in retaliatory attacks. Armed with arrows, a group of youths descended upon the village, causing destruction and making off with livestock, including goats, chickens, and ducks.
Alolo criticized the Anti-Stock-Theft Unit stationed at the border, accusing them of laxity in addressing the issue of livestock theft in the region. He claimed that since January, 48 cattle herds and over 100 goats have been stolen, with efforts to recover them proving fruitless.
To restore calm, a contingent of police officers from various units has been dispatched to the area. Acting Kisumu County Commissioner Hussein Alassow Hussein directed security personnel on both sides of the border to intensify patrols and apprehend those responsible for the attacks.
Hussein chaired a security meeting at the border alongside officials from Kericho County. He urged officers to collaborate with local chiefs to trace the stolen animals and return them to their rightful owners. Hussein stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring peace and encouraged locals to remain composed.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o condemned the violence and criticized security agencies for not effectively managing tensions. He expressed frustration over the lack of proactive measures to prevent the conflict and called for the restoration of peace through dialogue.
Nyong’o placed responsibility on the anti-stock theft police stationed at the border, urging them to clarify their actions or lack thereof. He appealed to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to swiftly intervene and find a sustainable solution to the recurring border conflicts.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili announced plans to improve security through long-term measures such as opening roads in the hilly sub-county. The county governments also pledged to waive mortuary fees and medical expenses for the victims of the clashes.
