Calm returns in Ikorongo after vicious ethnic fight

Uneasy calm has begun to return to Ikorongo, Masaba South Sub-County after days of fighting between members of neighbouring communities.

Kisii County Commander Agnes Mudambah said police have intensified patrols in the area to help ease off the tensions between the two neighbouring communities.

At least two people are in police custody for instigating the violence and will be arraigned in court this week, said Ms Mudambah.

Two houses belonging to a widow were torched on Sunday night, last week, following the violence.

On Sunday, Ms Mudambah told the Nation that officers from the GSU and their counterparts from the AP’s Rapid Deployment Unit would remain on the ground doing patrols to end the flare-ups.

The County police chief said officers will be creating a buffer zone as part of the efforts aimed at addressing the stand-off.

"I want to assure that normalcy is returning to the area and there should be no cause for alarm. People are returning to their business even as we plan to engage more efforts to end the conflict once and for all," the County police chief said.

There were sporadic gun shots on Monday and Tuesday as the police repulsed groups of youths taking positions along the borders bracing for a fight.

Masaba Sub-County District County Coordinator Gitonga Mwihandi also said joint patrols from officers from both sides will continue so as to end the skirmishes.

Another widow lost four of her cows following the conflict.

At least 13 people are said to have sustained arrow injuries during the week-long conflict.

One person is still receiving treatment at the Kisii Level Six Hospital after an arrow pierced him in the thighs.

Mr Mwiandi however said they are yet to get figures on fatalities.

“No person has been injured. Nobody has recorded a statement with the police regarding the same. All you are hearing are mere rumours,” he told the Nation at the scene.

Residents who spoke to the Nation called on the government to step up efforts to end the incessant fights between the two communities.

They want investigations carried out on certain political leaders and a chief from Transmara West who they accused of fanning the animosities.

“As we move toward the elections we want peace to prevail because we have nowhere to go,” Mr Stephene Nyankabaria, a resident, said.