Maasai and Kipsigis youths clash in Trans-Mara

Fighting between the Maasai and Kipsigis communities dragged on late into the night Thursday following the killing of one person the previous evening at Pimpinyet border town.

A pupil is said to have sustained arrow injuries on the shoulder and was rushed to hospital for treatment during the revenge attack.

Earlier, a heavily armed band of gunmen attacked clients at a hotel at Pimpinyet, killing one man and critically injuring his colleague in the night raid, stoking new tensions between the two neighbouring communities.

On Friday, a contingent of officers from the General Service Unit, Administration Police and regular police were dispatched to the scene to quell the violence.

They were forced to shoot in the air to separate the warring youth.

CAT-AND-MOUSE GAMES

The youth engaged the police in cat-and-mouse games, regrouping to engage in fights even as police attempted to disperse them.

The two communities have been wrangling over a two-acre parcel in Pimpinyet for the last 10 years.

Trans-Mara West Deputy County Commissioner Mr Mericho Maina and security teams from the county visited the scene and urged for calm.

“We will bring land surveyors here to determine the Shartuka and Njipship boundaries. We ask for patience as we put things in order,” he said.

He urged the youth to put down weapons to give the government ample time to resolve the conflict.

He also urged the security agents to maintain order in the volatile area to avert further deaths.

At least three people, among them a pupil, have been killed so far since the conflict started.

Mr David Ole Ntiti, a resident, urged the government to stamp out the skirmishes.

Trans-Mara West Police Boss Mr Alfred Muthua said they would beef up security to ensure peace prevails in the area.