Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has addressed the Thursday, July 14 Kericho-Kisumu clashes between local communities.
The fierce clashes which left 2 people dead, and 15 others injured were fueled by the anti-government demonstrations held on Wednesday.
The PS stated the anyone involved in criminal activities will face the law regardless of the motive.
“As we speak, all security agencies from Kisumu and Kericho county have held a meeting to review what has transpired since yesterday and they have already put in place a mechanism to ensure this does not recur or get out of hand,” said the PS.
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He called upon the two county governments to hold a consultative meeting to come up with a solution to the problem bedeviling the region for years.
“Reason has to prevail, we must have an amicable way of settling disputes whenever they arise so that there no room for anyone to take the law into their hands to try and correct what they think could be wrong,” he said.
His sentiments came after Narok Senator Ledama Olekina urged Kisumu governor Anyang Nyongo and his Kericho counterpart Eric Mutai to drop their differences and hold a meeting to restore peace in the region.
“How can you sit pretty while your people kill each other because of political differences? Climb down from your ivory towers and unite your people! Our bond as a people is stronger than selfish political interest,” Ledama tweeted.
Nyabondo Mission Hospital admitted victims from the clash with 5 having gunshot wounds, 3 with critical stab wounds and 4v with arrows lodged in different parts of their body.
In addition, three others were admitted to Sigowet County hospital where a 38-year-old man succumbed to arrow wounds.
A victim narrated that they met a group of 20 people who forced him to sit down before started beating him.
“They started throwing arrows when we escaped from the crowd and started running,” he said.
The Kericho-Kisumu clashes started when the anti-government demonstrators from Kisumu crossed over to Kericho and overpowering the police forcing youth from the. other community to fight back.
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In his statement, Governor Mutai blamed Azimio politicians for politically inciting violence between the communities which have previously coexisted peacefully as brothers and sisters.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the acts of anarchy and violence committed against innocent businesspeople, particularly those from communities that do not support demonstrations,” he asserted.
Kericho County Commissioner Michael Lesimam noted his team is monitoring the situation to prevent it from escalating.
