Three killed in fresh Sondu ethnic clashes

Three people have been left dead and five others injured following renewed ethnic clashes that erupted on Tuesday night in Sondu area along the Kisumu-Kericho border.

The five—four male and a female—are nursing arrow injuries and are currently admitted at Nyabondo Mission Hospital.

One teacher was also axed during the attack and is currently undergoing treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.

There are claims that the clash begun after one person was killed when they were caught trying to steal cattle from the Kisumu side.

However two people managed to escape.

Siany sublocation community policing chairman George Ombiri said the Tuesday night incident was unfortunate.

Ombiri said there is still tension within the area, adding that they don't see the matter ending any time soon even though security officers are already on the ground.

He called on both the county and national governments to seat down and find out what is fuelling the clashes and what can be done to ensure action is taken against youths who cross from the other end to terrorise their neighbours.

"It's unfortunate that every now and then our people are killed yet we have a government in place and nothing happens.  We have no lasting solution, our area ACC Darwin Orina has really tried but can't manage to do it alone."

Currently, security has been beefed in the area amid tension from the two neighbouring counties even as calls for a long lasting solution to the frequent clashes are made.

The security team is led by the Kisumu county commissioner Allasow Hussein among others.

According to Upper Nyakach ACC Orina, they have beefed up security in the area to ensure peace prevails.

Orina said they have lost lives and would not want to see a repeat of the same, putting those involved on notice. He said they will be arrested and charged.

He also urged residents from both sides to engage the officers so that  together they can find a long lasting solution to the clashes.

"I want to assure residents from both Kisumu and Kericho that there is adequate security."

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o  asked the national government to swiftly apprehend criminals responsible for Sondu conflicts.

Nyong’o said it is unfortunate that even as the President is set to visit the Lakeside city on Friday, there is ethnic clashes in Sondu along the Kisumu Kericho border.

"We condemn this barbaric behaviour and the criminals must be apprehended and ensure justice is done to the affected families."

The governor said already, the security team from the county went to the scene in the morning to restore peace and security within the area.

"I am grateful that we talked to the county commissioner this morning and is at the scene already," he said, stressing on the need to have a permanent solution to the the constant conflict at the border.

Nyong’o further said it's known this things are instigated by people for reasons that go beyond his comprehension.

"Crossing the border killing and stealing people's cattle can't solve the border issues and indeed the National Cohesion Commission was just there, and when they just left,  this thing started again."

He wondered why the border issues in Sondu was becoming too much yet other areas with similar problems have been adequately solved.

"I hope that we have a lasting solution, because its very unfortunate that in the eve to President's visits someone instigated the ethnic clashes at the border," the governor said.

This comes even as Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers expressed concerns over the renewed attack saying it is affecting the security of their teachers.

"Last night they viciously attacked an unarmed teacher Kevin Bondo of Agai Secondary with machetes, pangas and crude weapons and left him for the dead. He is currently admitted in critical condition at JOOTRH," said Zablon Awange Executive Secretary Kuppet Kisumu.

Awange said as teachers, they demand for security and peace to prevail in the area.

He said last month, a former deputy at one of the schools within the area was attacked with arrows that critically injured him and is still recovering from the attack.

By the time of going to the press, the security meeting in sondu area was still ongoing.