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Panic As Residents Flee Homes

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What began as a minor theft incident at Gesombo village, in which eight cattle were stolen, has degenerated into full-scale, cross-border skirmishes that threaten to get out of hand.

Thirty two houses have been reduced to ashes and several cattle driven away by raiders from from both sides of the border as tension mounts despite a heavy presence of security personnel.

Children and women have been displaced and are living with relatives in safer places. Residents of Kipngosos sub location of Bomet District have been hardest hit after losing 18 houses in arson attacks. On the Nyamira side 14 houses have been razed.

The Nation team that visited the area on Tuesday saw empty villages. On the Bomet side, women and children have pitched camp at Kimugul village, 3km from the border, while the men are hiding in bushes near their homes to guard the salvaged property.

Those on the Nyamira side are camping at Ranyaemo, a distance from the border.

Livestock has been moved to the Riontonyi police base for safe custody by GSU. The Nation counted 40 cattle and 32 sheep at the base.

But as the skirmishes continue, the security personnel have been put in the spotlight with residents calling for their replacement.

At the police base, about 50 tired and frail-looking officers lay on the grass as what remained of the houses smouldered after arson attacks.

Ms Caroline Rugut, a resident of Kimwosos location in Buret, whose house had been burnt, fought back tears as she blamed the officers for failing to arrest the situation.

"My house was torched in full view of armed police. I sent distress calls but they ignored me, meaning that they have a vested interest in this chaos," she said.

Mr Isaac Ayienda, a Nyamira resident living on the border, also criticised the officers for taking sides. He said he saw an ethnic agenda in the their attitude. "How can an arbitrator be partisan? We need neutral officers here," he said.

Similar calls have been made by North Mugirango MP Geodfrey Masanya, who demands that the Government withdraw Kisii and Kalenjin security personnel.

His Sotik counterpart, Mr Antony Kimetto, has appealed for peace.
Security personnel on Tuesday arrested 20 armed villagers following patrols led by Borabu DO Kennedy Ogosia, but they would not say the number of casualties. So far the Government has said only two have been killed.

Nyamira DC Jamleck Baruga said his team was investigating claims that the skirmishes had been incited by a politician from Rift Valley.

He defended his team against accusations of taking sides with the locals in the conflict.