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Peace Has Returned in Gucha, Say Police
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 22 July 2007 23:03
Nyanza police boss David Korir said peace was restored three days ago following a joint meeting between members of the Maasai and Abagusii communities
He, however, said tension was high as a result of mistrust.
The police boss pleaded with leaders to encourage peace so that the two communities could live in harmony again.
Mr Korir said security officers deployed in the region would remain to guard against renewed violence.
"The two communities have resolved to live in peace and we believe they are serious because we have not received reports to the contrary," said Mr Korir.
The police chief urged leaders to stop politicising the clashes.
Thefour-month clashes between the Maasai and the Kisii has caused havoc in the region's socio-economic activities.
According to official figures, the war has claimed 30 lives. Ten were killed by police.
Speaking to the Nation in Kisumu, Mr Korir urged the Abagusii living on the Gucha side of the border to send their children back to school and tend their farms.
He said police on patrol would not interfere with the residents as long as they kept peace.
Meanwhile, a Kanu activist asked the Luo and Nandi to rally behind the government in its efforts to restore peace along the Nyando-Nandi boundary.
Mr Onyango K'Oyoo urged the communities to live harmoniously because the boundaries could only be changed through an Act of Parliament.
"Luos and Kalenjins have blood relations. They have a long history of co-existence and nobody should intimidate and threaten you with eviction," said Mr K'Oyoo.
He told the two communities to reject attempts by politicians to incite them to violence, alleging that leaders were out to revive ethnic clashes for reasons related to the Moi succession.
Mr K'Oyoo, who is also a Nairobi businessman, was addressing mourners at the funeral of Bishop Alfred Othuma Nyamita of Nomiya Luo Church at Kabonyo, Kibigori Location, Miwani.
His remarks came in the wake of recent clashes between the Luo and Nandi along the Nyando-Nandi boundary.
In the skirmishes, several people were injured and property and crops destroyed.
Mr K'Oyoo donated Sh20,000 towards the construction of two police houses at Kibigori police base.
The police base is being built by the community.
