Following a daring cattle rustling episode that generated animosity between 2 villages along the Kisumu-Kericho border, 3 people have died and numerous more are recovering from injuries.
In Jimo East village, in Nyakach Sub-County, Kisumu, the assailants set a number of homes on fire while other victims died from arrow wounds.
A Form 4 student from a nearby school who was attacked by the intruders, who also drove away cattle, is among those who have died. Witnesses said that, the heavily armed terrorists raided settlements in North Nyakach and attacked a number of homes.
Older man Oyugi Owili, one of the victims of the incident, is mourning the loss of 9 of his cows to the cattle rustlers.
According to Orina, the attacks and counterattacks have led to the displacement of about one hundred and fifty households in the area.
“Some one hundred and fifty households are camping at Ndori Primary School, which is also a rescue centre. Some of them have suffered double tragedy because their houses were torched by the attackers,” he noted.
According to North Nyakach Division Assistant County Commissioner Darwin Orina, 3 people succumbed due to the attacks.
“We have had 3 death cases since the clashes began. Another body has been retrieved by locals and officers from the National government administration in Kasaye village. The body is of a form 4 student. The boy was arrowed by the assailants,” Orina stated.
The attackers also invaded a home in Kasaye village in Nyakach Sub-County, and made away with at least 6 sheep and an unknown number of goats.
“I have been informed that there are some clashes around Sondu between the Kisumu and Kericho County border. Clashes have allegedly resulted from stock theft and counter theft in the area,” he stated.
He said a multi-agency security team had been deployed to restore peace in the area.
