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Six killed in Gucha clashes

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Published on Saturday, 02 June 2007 06:22
At least six people were feared dead in violent clashes which broke out last night along the volatile Migori/Gucha border. Several people sustained arrow injuries during the fierce fight. About 30 acres of cane worth over Sh4 million was set ablaze by arsonists.

Migori police boss, Mr Joseph Mberia, confirmed the number of the dead and assured area residents that security will be beefed up. Mberia said those found armed with weapons will be arrested and urged residents to report any incident to the police instead of retaliating. Residents along the border spent a sleepless night as police fired several times to scare away trouble shooters.

By yesterday morning, a number of families whose houses were torched were spotted decamping to the adjacent Ranen, Rongo and Awendo towns within Migori District. The injured were taken to Migori, Homa Bay, Gucha and Ogembo district hospitals with deep cuts. Regular and Administration Police officers were deployed to the area.

Migori DC, Mr Ukur Yatani, convened an urgent crisis security and leaders meeting yesterday and appealed to residents to desist from retaliatory attacks. Yatani said trouble started after a group of cattle were stolen from the Migori side and driven across the Gucha border.

He said police pursued the rustlers and recovered 14 cows. Immediate former Rongo MP, Mr Ochilo Ayako, donated several blankets and cash hand-outs to displaced families who spent the night in the cold.

He called for a leaders meeting to reconcile the two communities saying reckless attacks were bound to interfere with the coming General Elections. Trouble broke out yesterday after members of the Luo community insisted the burnt cane from Gucha side will not be ferried to the factory.

They also chased away a director, Mr Samuel Kisuge, who had gone to plead with them to allow the company harvest and transport the cane. Kisuge appealed to the Government to offer adequate security to enable Sony Outgrowers Company to transport cane so that farmers do not to bear the brunt of the loss.