Normalcy returns in Sondu after week-long ethnic clashes

Calm and normalcy has returned at Sondu shopping centre along the border of Kericho and Kisumu counties following skirmishes that lasted for week.

The flare-ups that pitted two communities resulted in loss of seven lives, destruction of property and disruption of businesses.

This came hot on the heels of President William Ruto, who on Friday, ordered security agents to arrest those behind the killings and those who might have incited the two communities to fight.

On Saturday, Sigowet-Soin MP Justice Kemei visited the troubled zone and held meetings with members of communities who said they had embraced peace going forward.

“Don’t fight over nothing because wars are retrogressive besides claiming lives. But I am happy we now condemn the skirmishes and embrace peace,” the MP said.

He called on security agents to hunt down on killers and perpetrators of the skirmishes, saying those were the criminals who should be punished for disrupting peace and businesses.

Leaders from Kericho and Kisumu had been blaming each other on the matter with call for arrests without giving evidence on those mentioned as inciters to the skirmishes.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and governor Erick Mutai urged security agents to conduct investigations on the matter and arrests any perpetrator.

Speaking at Moi Gardens in Kericho town on Friday, the duo said politicians linked to the flare-ups must face the music for the sake lasting peace at the troubled spot.

Respond promptly

Cheruiyot has called for transfer of all the security team for allegedly failing to respond promptly to the fighting that resulted in loss of lives.

Governor Mutai said it was unfortunate for communities that have been living together for years to rise against each other yet this was a retrogressive practice.

Mutai called on people to rise up and condemned violence whose cause has not been established saying it belong to dark days. He condoled with families and relatives of those who lost their kin.

Leaders from the Kisumu, led by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o have condemned the violence and demanded arrests of the perpetrators immediately so to Azimio La Umoja team.