In a harrowing incident that unfolded at the border of Kisumu and Kericho counties, three lives were unfortunately lost as tensions escalated on Tuesday night. The incident occured in the Sondu area of Nyakach subcounty.
The origins of this tragic clash can be traced back to a cattle theft incident that occurred on Monday.
A man hailing from the neighboring Soin Sigowet subcounty lost his life in the Monday incident, after he was accused of being involved in the theft of livestock.
The death of this individual triggered a wave of retaliation from enraged Kericho youths. The youth reportedly launched retaliatory attacks on homes in the area.
This violent retaliation, unfortunately, resulted in injuries and, tragically, fatalities.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa has officially confirmed the tense situation prevailing at the volatile border between the two counties.
The Member of County Assembly for South East Nyakach, Lumumba Owade, also confirmed the death of the two as a result of these clashes. He further told reporters that the bodies of the deceased have been transported to the Nyabondo Mission Hospital morgue.
Owade has raised concerns about the role of law enforcement, asserting that he had previously alerted the police to the looming threat of an attack. Regrettably, no preemptive action was taken, according to the MCA, leaving the community vulnerable to this tragic outcome.
As a result of the ongoing tension, the popular and busy Sondu town market is now akin to a ghost town as people avoid the market.
