Normalcy returned to Kisii- Transmara border following clashes sparked by cattle theft.

The fighting left three people dead, several injured and sugarcane plantations torched.

During a meeting at Kiango market, Governors- Simba Arati (Kisii) and Patrick Ole Ntutu, (Narok), challenged border peace committee members, chiefs and security officers to pursue the stolen cows and return them to the owners.

Ole Ntutu noted Masai and the Gusii communities have enjoyed peace for many years and implored investigators to probe and unearth the root cause of the problem and arrest perpetrators.

“We have not heard of clashes for 20 years. Border peace committee members know the procedure of recovering stolen cows. Arati and I cannot a meeting at Kiango market on Monday.

He appealed to members of the Gusii community to return to their farms and businesses in Narok County and challenged residents to embrace peace and continue with their businesses.

The governor warned youths against engaging in violence under the guise of cattle theft and urged women from both sides not to create tension through unnecessary wailings, saying it caused anxiety.

“We have about five acres being disputed by the two communities and have agreed to unite and turn it into a stadium for our children to play to foster peace,” Ole Ntutu said.

Arati asked sleuths to investigate those who were inciting youths to cause violence, saying villagers can assist them with information to arrest the culprits to face the law.

The Governor, accompanied by County Assembly Speaker, Philp Nyanumba said they will embrace sporting activities for youths from the two counties to enhance peaceful co-existence.

“It is a shame on us. We cannot chase others with arrows fighting because of a stolen cow when others are making billions of shillings through football and other sporting activities,” Arati stated.

Bomachoge Borabu MP, Obadiah Barongo, whose area was affected, urged the government to deploy more security officers along the border to monitor and curb the clashes.

He noted some residents had lost lives, sugarcane plantations torched and several businesses lost due to the clashes, terming it wrong and unacceptable.

“I want police to probe a report of new arrows which were being used during the attacks, the purpose, and arrest the makers and prosecute them” Barongo said.

Kisii County Commissioner Joseph Kibet said police officers patrolled Kiango, Nyabitunwa and Nyamaiya and arrested a suspect in connection with the theft.

He said the youthful suspect is believed to ferry cows from the Gusii community to his Masai colleagues, adding, he is being held at Kenyenya police station and will be arraigned once the investigation is completed.

“Thieves have no tribe. Do not protect them. Arrest and hand them over to the police for prosecution to deter others,” Kibet noted.
The Commissioner implored border peace committee members, chiefs and security officers to foster peace along the border, stressing, youths who burn sugarcane plantations and steal cows are criminals.

Nyanumba said members of the Gusii community had bank loans and invested in maize, sugarcane and vegetable farming in Narok County, adding, it was wrong for youths to destroy them.

He noted Masais and Kisiis have intermarried and co-existed peacefully for long and challenged members of the two communities to continue embracing peace and harmony to enhance development.