Kisumu and Nandi governors meet to end killings over boundary dispute

A squatter at Chepkechei village in Muhoroni District outside one of the houses torched by unknown people in November. Scenes like this may be a thing of the past if the governors’ resolutions are implemented. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat and his Kisumu counterpart Jack Ranguma also agreed to resettle squatters to reduce tension.
  • The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has also moved to end the on-going battles between the two communities living along the Muhoroni border.

Two governors have resolved to work together to end the Muhoroni-Nandi boundary dispute.

The Nandi and Kisumu governors held a meeting in an attempt to reconcile members of the two communities.

Inter-ethnic conflict between the Nandi and Luo communities living along the border of the Nandi and Kisumu County had strained peaceful coexistence between them.

The boundary conflict has already claimed the lives of six people in the last three weeks alone.

The meeting, held in Kisumu County, resolved to establish anti-stock theft police units to deal with cattle rustling as well as put up police posts along the border.

Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat and his Kisumu counterpart Jack Ranguma also agreed to resettle squatters to reduce tension.

The leaders, however, condemned the residents’ failure to report the suspects whom they said live in their midst.
“We must develop and adopt new strategies to end these conflicts once and for all. With that we wouldn’t need these meetings,” said Mr Ranguma.

Mr Lagat said the only lasting solution to the conflict would be to ensure that the communities became their neighbours’ keepers.

Consequently, they resolved that the county governments will form joint border committees. The peace committees will carry out exchange programmes and travel to Rwanda and South Africa to learn effective ways of dealing with conflicts.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has also moved to end the on-going battles between the two communities living along the Muhoroni border.

The peace meeting organised by NCIC brought together county security chiefs, elders and residents.

The meeting also resolved to embrace the “Nyumba Kumi” initiative, cultivate sports and cultural activities as well as encourage intermarriage between the two communities.

NCIC secretary, Mr Hassan Mohamed said they will hold a similar session in Kericho County to follow on the progress of the resolutions.

The border conflict had attracted reactions from politicians from the Nandi community, who called for the resignation of the two governors.

The most volatile areas include the Potopoto, Miwani, Kopere, Mariwa, Chekechei  and Kapsamo areas.

Initial Investigations by the Sunday Nation revealed that land and cattle rustling are the main cause of the clashes.

The 1,100 hectares Potopoto farm in Kibigori area, is also cause for tension even though the government claims to have acquired it from an original owner.

The two leaders also called for peaceful co-existence among the two communities, saying the residents need each other to promote trade and business.