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Five Shot Dead in Police Camp Raid
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 22 July 2007 23:13
It was an ironical twist the fight between members of the Masai and Kisii communities took place in Nyabitunwa and Kiango border markets just as three councillors were showering Gucha District Commissioner Noor Hassan Noor at Sameta sportsground saying he had "brought peace to the area".
Twenty people were admitted at Tabaka and St Joseph's Mission hospitals in Migori and Gucha districts, respectively.
The police fired at a group of youths who had crossed over to Trans Mara at the two markets. The police were struggling to stop a fight between the Kisii and Maasai youths.
The police fired in self-defence after the combatants shot arrows at them.
It took five hours for the police to stop the bloody fight. They engaged the youths in a bruising five-hour battle that began at 7 am.
The Madaraka Day celebrations at Ogembo, the Gucha District headquarters, had to be cut short.
Police officers who had mounted a guard of honour and march-past for the chief guest were quickly dispatched to the scene.
The clashes come only two days ahead of a publicised tour of the troubled area by the President.
Police Commissioner Philemon Abong'o said officers "used necessary force" to repulse the invaders intent on seizing arms.
He was speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, where he accompanied President Moi to receive Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni and several other regional leaders who are on the country to discuss peace in Sudan.
A spot check by the Nation at Kiango and Nyabitunwa markets revealed tension and uncertainity was running highs. Armed youths were straddled around the area - ready for war with their neighbours.
Speaking at Kiango Market Bomachoge-Borabu civic leader Andrew Mogua urged the Kisii youths to stop crossing over to Maasailand.
The bodies of those killed were taken to the Akemo and St Joseph's hospital mortuaries.
Three of the dead were named as: Fred Siro Magambi, Charles Manu Ogachi and
Okeri Ongwenyi.
About 1,500 youths were repulsed when they attempted to storm a police camp on Friday morning.
"A group of youths from Gucha crossed the border into Trans Mara and attempted to invade an AP camp with the intention to acquire arms for criminal activities."
He said several youths armed with bows, arrows, pangas and iron bars were injured.
"The officers at the camp used necessary force to repulse them. Some escaped with injuries and our security forces are still tracking the culprits."
The deputy Rift Valley Provincial Police officer, Mr Peter Leiyan, said the youth are believed to have come from Gucha District.
Mr Abong'o directed his officers not to spare criminals.
"I have issued firm instructions to the officers in the field to deal ruthlessly with such law-breakers."
The recent clashes at the border have claimed more than 30 lives and property worth millions of shillings destroyed. Schools have been closed prematurely.
Eight opposition Members of Parliament claimed the fights may be a prelude to clashes similar to the ones on the eve of the 1992 and 1997 general elections.
MPs James Magara (South Mugirango), Jimmy Angwenyi (kitutu Chache), Dr Shem Ochuodho (Rangwe), Waithaka Mwangi (Kinangop) and Soita Shitanda (Malava) and Raphael Wanjala (Budalang'i), urged the government to stop the clashes whose escalation they blamed on the police.
Gucha District Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan said the Government was doing everything it could to bring the situation under control.
The leaders said that unless the President intervened in the clashes that have claimed over 30 people and seen hundreds of cattle stolen in the past three months, his government would be held responsible.
They accused the government of double standards when dealing with the problem.
