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Five Die As Communities Dispute Land

Details

Published on Saturday, 07 July 2007 07:35

Five people were killed and seven seriously injured on Monday - when Kisiis and Luos fought on the Gucha/Migori common border.

Fighting broke out after a disagreement over a disputed land at the troubled Ochodororo area, forcing the two district commissioners to convene an urgent security meeting yesterday.

Police identified those killed as Michael Auka Monda, 37, Dickson Masea, 47, Joseph Nyamosi, 35, Gilbert Mwaya, 33 and George Odhiambo Ouko, 29. The bodies of the first three were taken to Kisii District Hospital mortuary while the other two were taken to Homa Bay District hospital mortuary.

Leaders from both districts condemned the incident and urged the Government to intensify security, especially during the election time. Among the leaders were councillors Joel Makana (Gucha), Nelson Miguna and Martin Ombuya (Migori) Police said they would continue patrolling and urged members of the public to co-operate and be calm. They were also told to report any suspicious characters to the nearest police station.

There were unconfirmed reports that a sixth person, a woman, had died in the morning after a group of men tortured her the previous day at Keyani area where she was cultivating her farm. A police source identified her as a Mrs Osoro.

As the two administrators were addressing the meeting, more than 10 gunshots were heard less than a kilometre away as raiders set ablaze a sugarcane farm. Learning in Nyamaroka, Ndonyo and Dago Kodero primary schools was affected as pupils and teachers kept away in fear of violence.

The elders also suggested that the Government establishes a police post on a controversial farm which has been the bone of contention between two families from both districts.