Raiders kill six more people in North Rift
Six people were killed in Nandi South District Tuesday and a shopping centre was razed in Trans Nzoia East as a new wave of violence hit the North Rift. Seventy houses were set on fire in Aldai constituency of Nandi South, uprooting more than 2,000 people. It brought to 80 the number of houses razed in two days of violence. The raiders also made away with 200 animals.In Trans Nzoia, 30 shops were burnt down at Salama Trading Centre a day after five people were shot dead in the area. The latest attack sparked an exodus of people estimated at 1,400 by yesterday afternoon. Residents interviewed insisted that the attackers were dressed in military uniform and were armed with AK-47 rifles.
One of the victims, Mr Paul Wanyonyi, told journalists that his shop with goods worth Sh400,000 was reduced to ashes as the raiders threatened to kill him. Those fleeing were heading to Kimondo centre while others joined another group camping at Endebess. At the latter camp, there are now 1,500 people.
An official of the Kitale Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Mr Leonard Barasa, said about 250 families are camping at Kolongolo centre without food. Mr Barasa however said the attacks were no longer election-related and attributed the attacks to land issues.
Leaders of one community Tuesday claimed that security personnel were torching houses that belonged to their people in Mosop. But police denied the claims, saying that the houses burnt were makeshift ones believed to be housing criminals.
In another attack, 10 houses were burnt down in Biketi-Chakata Farm at the borders of Trans Nzoia East and West Pokot.
In Aldai, district officer Willis Punde confirmed that six people had died by noon. The attacks went on into the night. One person was shot dead as Nandi North district commissioner Mabeya Mogaka and his security team addressed a joint reconciliation meeting at Kaptwai Primary School. Present at the meeting were MPs Sally Kosgei (Aldai), Elijah Lagat (Emgwen) and George Khaniri (Hamisi) whose constituencies border the area.
They all called for an end to the senseless killings. A joint committee composed of elders from different communities was formed to work with church leaders and the administration to help restore peace. The DC asked the elders to prevail upon the youths to stop the culture of burning houses and rustling cattle.
Mr Mabeya asked residents to return looted property and stolen animals to their owners to speed up peaceful return of people to their homes. He promised government protection to families camping at Kaimosi Tea Estate and in churches and schools.
Dr Kosgei declared she would serve the electorate in the constituency regardless of ethnicity and claimed some youths were being financed by political elements to fan violence. Mr Lagat said different communities who lived in Nandi and on the common border must live in peace.
Mr Khaniri said the communities in the area had lived in harmony for many years and political incitement should not divide them.
Daily Nation
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