Two killed, 5 injured in Nandi-Kakamega border clashes

Tension is high at Tabolwa-Kanin village on the border of Nandi and Kakamega counties after afresh clashes emerged on Friday.

One person was shot dead by police while another one succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment. Five others are nursing injuries at Malava Sub-County hospital. 

Kakamega County Commissioner Pauline Dola and her Nandi counterpart Kutswa Olaka were locked in a security meeting with elders from the two communities.

Nandi North police boss Antony Shimoli said: “One person died while five people who sustained injuries are receiving treatment at Kabiyet and Malava sub county hospitals."  

Police have been deployed at the disputed area to handle any eventuality.

Area MP Vincent Tuwei urged the residents to stay  calm as the government sorts out their grievances.

Residents alleged that two bulls were stolen by a cattle rustler believed to have come from Ikoli in Kakamega County.

Youths from Nandi County mobilised themselves to pursue the stolen cows which resulted into a confrontation between the two communities.

 Residents who spoke to the Nation accused security agencies from Nandi County of slow response.

They said the clashes were triggered by a dispute over 13.7 acres escarpment land on the border of the two counties.

  "What has escalated the incident here is a known person. Last year, he slashed maize planted on the land claiming that it belongs to him,” said a resident. 

Kabras East MCA Anaswa Lazarus asked the land officers from the two devolved units to solve the dispute.

"I ask the relevant authorities from both sides to put beacons at the border of these two counties to end this push and pull we have been witnessing here for years," said the ward rep.

Reported by Benson Amadala, Onyango K'Onyango and Tom Matoke