Tension rises as four dead in renewed Pokot and Marakwet clashes in Kerio Valley
Armed men seen near Kerio River in the troubled Kerio Valley on the border of Elgeyo-Marakwet and Baringo counties on October 30, 2016. Tension is high in the area following renewed clashes between the Pokot and Marakwet. FILE PHOTO | CHEBOITE KIGEN | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- School guard shot and killed on Monday evening by suspected Pokot raiders in Liter Village.
- Authorities say the deceased was shot dead while on his way to work.
- Another villager also shot dead by another group of rustlers in the neighbouring Endo Location.
- Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen and former Police IG David Kimaiyo condemn the acts.
Tension is high in Kerio Valley following renewed clashes between the of Pokot and Marakwet communities.
Four people have died in the last two days with several others sustaining serious injuries in the clashes.
More than 20 houses have been set ablaze even as residents called on law enforcement officers in the region to move in fast and help contain the situation.
Witnesses told Nation.co.ke that a school guard was allegedly shot and killed on Monday evening by suspected Pokot raiders in Liter Village on the border between the two communities.
According to authorities, the deceased Joseph Chelang’a, 54, was shot dead while on his way to work.
“The assailants took advantage of the cover of darkness to execute the unfortunate attack that claimed the life of the school guard,” Kaben Location Chief, Joseph Lokanda said.
He said another villager was also shot dead by another group of rustlers in the neighbouring Endo Location.
“His body was taken to a police station in Tot trading centre for identification. Unfortunately, the deceased’s brother was also shot and killed by armed Kapshoi warriors while on his way to the police station to claim the body,” added the administrator.
BODY SET ABLAZE
The Nation also learnt that two other people were killed following a fight between members of the Marakwet community at Tot trading centre.
Witnesses said the attackers from Kabsiren clan attacked their Kapshoi counterparts accusing them of harbouring their enemies from the Pokot community.
They, in the process, killed a villager identified as Abu Kiptoo and set his body ablaze.
Incensed by the incident, members of the Kapshoi clan mounted retaliatory attacks along the Chesongoch-Tot-Soko Bora road shooting at passers-by.
“They shot and killed an innocent motorist identified as Sammy Kipkemoi of Kakibiyoswo Village and injured two other people,” said Sub-County Commissioner Erick Mlevu.
“We haven’t seen such animosity where people kill and burn the body of their victim. These people require prayers and divine intervention,” Mr Mlevu added.
Contacted, Elgeyo-Marakwet County Police Commander Tom Odera said, “An operation is going on in Tot. Please give us time.”
Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen and former Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo urged law enforcement officers to quickly contain the situation.
