Ruto Vows to Deal with Sondu Killings like Al-Shabaab

President William Ruto has vowed to ruthlessly deal with perpetrators in the fresh ethnic clashes along the Kisumu-Kericho border.

Speaking at Abonyo Fisheries and Aquaculture Service and Training Centre in Nyando, Kisumu County on Friday, October 6, the Head of state sounded a warning noting that the government will treat the clashes a s a threat similar to Al Shabaab.

Additionally, the President noted that he had already given instruction to the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to handle the matter. 

“There are individuals who are causing conflict among different communities and neighbors I have already directed professor Kithure Kindiki,” Ruto remarked.

“The way we have handles those in the North Rift and Al-Shabaab, is the same way we will deal with those individuals in Sondu.”

At the same time, the president directed  Kindiki to ensure that every individual who was involved in the killings is arrested and legal action be taken against them. 

“We already have a concrete plan to ensure that every individual who caused the loss of life in Sondu has to be arrested and jailed. Of cause they will be taken to court first,” added Ruto. 

Also Read:Azimio Demands to President Ruto Over Sondu Clashes

Kithure Kindiki on Tribal Clashes in Sondu 

On October 5, Kindiki announced that the government had resolved to transfer security chiefs from both sides of Kericho and Kisumu.

He added that all security officers found to have been complicit in the clashes will also be moved, and perpetrators of the crimes arrested.

At the same time, Kindiki revealed that multi-agency security team has been deployed to Sondu to reclaim calm and return the situation in the area to normal.

“The special deployment is to be supervised jointly by the Rift Valley and Nyanza regional security teams with firm instructions to ensure immediate resumption of normalcy and the arrest and prosecution of each and every perpetrator of the horrific crimes that have been committed against the people of Sondu Town and its environs.

Also Read: NCIC Condemns Sondu Ethnic Clashes

“In the meantime, it has been decided to transfer all local security heads on both sides of the border and other security and public officers whose want of effectiveness, impartiality and or competence is deemed to have resulted in the success of the criminals,” Kindiki stated. 

What We Know So Far About Sondu Clashes 

The clashes at the Kisumu-Kericho border have left at least seven people dead and several others injured.

The attackers invaded the East Kadiang’a Location in Upper Nyakach Division on October 3, night and unleashed terror on residents before fleeing the scene.

According to witnesses, tensions began to rise on Tuesday afternoon amid claims that a gang from one of the groups had met to organize the attack.

Despite multiple reports, they accused police personnel of neglecting to act to prevent the incident.