A Form 3 secondary school student is among the casualties in a feud between the Kisii community of Kenyenya Sub-county and their neighbors from Kilgoris in Narok County.
The conflict over grazing and farming land initially started between two families but escalated as members of both communities sought to defend their own against perceived threats.
Tensions rose from Thursday into the weekend, with more than 11 individuals wounded during confrontations that involved arrows, bows, and swords.
On Friday, the Form 3 student joined other men in a counterattack against Kilgoris when he was shot in the hip by an arrow, leaving him limping. He was rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he underwent minor surgery to treat his injuries and was subsequently discharged.
“It was very painful to undergo an unexpected operation, but now I can walk with the support of a stick,” he said. Five other men injured during the skirmishes were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and were receiving treatment at the time of this report. Among those who visited the casualties was Bokimonge ward MCA Amos Onderi, who called for peace between the two communities living along the Nyabitunwa-Kiango stretch.
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“We confirmed five cases that were indicated for surgery; most of them were successful, while some remain in the ICU,” he said.
He urged young men in the area to embrace peace as security agencies work to identify the instigators of the conflict.
He also asked elders from both sides to assist security personnel in peacefully addressing cattle rustling issues and bringing the offenders to justice.
“These cattle thieves are among you, and you know them. If you assist security organs in weeding them out, they will not take advantage of you and your cattle,” he warned.
Kenyenya Sub-county Peace Chairman James Onyancha condemned the violence and appealed to Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli and his Bomachoge Borabu counterpart, Obadiah Barongo, to unite the residents and promote peace.
“In the past, the two communities had disputes over land and cattle rustling, but this cycle of conflict was broken in 2002 by the emerging new generation of leaders led by MPs Gideon Konchella (Kilgoris) and Joel Onyancha (Bomachoge Borabu),” he said.
“We have been living peacefully since then, and I am perplexed by the resurgence of violence among our youth.”
He asked on churches and peace organizations to engage in peace-building activities, saying that a lack of peace disrupts everyday activities.
By Enock Okong’o
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