Politicians cautioned against incitement as calm is restored in Sondu

Kisumu,

Wednesday October 2023

KNA by Chris Mahandara

Political leaders in Kisumu and Kericho counties have been cautioned against inciting their followers to violence to ensure peace and calm are restored in the border town of Sondu.

This follows a Wednesday morning flare-up between two communities residing in the border town which resulted in three deaths and left scores of others with injuries.

The assailants who crossed over from Soin-Sigowet in Kericho county, invaded homesteads in the East Kadinag’a location of Nyakach Sub-County, Kisumu unleashing terror on residents.

It is believed the attack was retaliatory after a suspected cattle rustler was lynched by a mob in the town following a spate of stock theft in the area.

Business came to a standstill as angry youths barricaded the busy Ahero-Kisii road at Nyabondo junction to protest over the killings.

Kisumu County Commissioner (CC) Hussein Alassow Hussein said investigations have been launched to unearth the root cause of the clashes adding that stern action shall be taken against the perpetrators.

He said no arrests have been made adding that a contingent of security officers has been deployed at the volatile border to restore normalcy.

“We have not made any arrests but our security agencies are tracking down the suspects and no effort shall be spared until they are brought to book,” he said.

The administrator said any politician found to be inciting their followers into violence will face the full force of the law.

He asked the leaders to prevail upon their supporters to ensure peaceful coexistence between the communities residing in the area.

“Our security officers have enhanced patrols and are carrying out investigations to ensure that this matter is resolved once and for all. Calm has also been restored,” he said.

Speaking at Sondu Police station where he chaired a security meeting with officials from Kisumu and Kericho counties, Hussein asked members of the public to volunteer information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education (KUPPET) has asked the government to find a long-lasting solution to the border conflict which continues to affect education in the area.

KUPPET Kisumu County Executive Secretary Zablon Awange said the clashes were not just a threat to learners but also to teachers,

In the Wednesday morning attacks, he said a high school teacher was hacked while one student was killed.

“They attacked an unarmed teacher at Agai Secondary School with machetes, pangas, and crude weapons, leaving him for dead. He is currently admitted in critical condition,” he said.

Last month, he added another teacher was attacked with arrows and sustained serious injuries asking the government to ensure round-the-clock security for learning to go uninterrupted.

Courtesy; KNA