Tension remains high in Narok as more houses torched

Clashes escalated in Narok North after more houses were touched on Tuesday morning.

This comes after an overnight calm in the five villages that has been hit by violence in the clash-torn Olpusimoru Ward.

Smoke was bellowing from several homes as screams from women filled the air.

VIOLENCE

Armed youths with bows and arrows from both side of divide formed groups at Tegaat and Olengape villages ready for combat.

Gun shots rendered the air as police moved in to quell the violence as the warring parties engaged each other with bows and arrows.

Many burning houses could be seen as police pursued the attackers.

“Houses are being touched all over in Olengape, Olmariko and gun shots are also increasing,’ said Mr Jonathan Ronoh Olokurto an Education official whose house was torched.

A Police chopper hovered over the burning houses to monitor movement of the two fighting groups fi as they played a hide and seek game with the police.

County Commissioner George Natembeya confirmed that four homesteads were torched at Tegaat village but no casualties were reported.

The renewed clashed increased tension in the area in an incident that was triggered by a cattle rustling.

Mr Natembeya accompanied county security committee members returned to the area in a bid to quell the violence that is increasing by the day.

“I left the area peaceful last night, but today morning we received the reports that there are people who are burning houses at Tegaat, we will not allow this to continue and government is committed to end the violence,’ said Mr Natembeya.

PUZZLE

Mr Natembeya said it was still a puzzle that houses were being burnt even after the government deployed more regular police officers,  General Service Unit and the Administration Police.

The county boss security teams are patrolling villages at Olengape, Tegaat, Olmariko, Olpusimoru and along the Amalo river which separates Narok and Nakuru counties.

On Monday peace meetings were  held with locals leaders from the two communities in an effort to end the deadly clashes, which have seen over 30 houses torched and over 3, 000 people displaced.

Meanwhile, one out of the seven victims of the Olposimoru clashes who were admitted at Tenwek Mission Hospital in Bomet County has been discharged.

The victim was discharged today morning as six others who were admitted with arrows lodged in their bodies are still undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Mr Geoffrey Langat, the hospital’s chief executive officer said the patient had sustained minor injuries.

"Six patients brought in on Sunday night with various degree of injuries are recuperating in the general wards after successful operation to remove the arrows which were lodged in their bodies," said Mr Langat.

Additional reporting by Vitalis Kimutai