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One person was killed while scores sustained gunshot wounds and arrow injuries on the Kisumu-Kericho border during the Wednesday anti-government demonstrations.

The protest called by the opposition leaders turned ugly in Sondu area, which borders the two counties as the residents of both sides armed themselves to protect lives and property.

Nyakach sub-county Assistant County Commissioner Dawin Orina confirmed one person died from the skirmishes while several others were injured and are receiving treatment at Nyabondo Mission and Sigowet hospitals.

The skirmishes went into the night forcing local leaders led by Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor to join in to help restore calm and sanity.

Police said the protestors barricaded Rachuonyo South -Katito road in at Sondu town, near Store Pamba trading Centre and Katito townships.

They engaged police in running battles as the officers tried in vain to unblock the roads, as they picketed armed with stones and assorted crude weapons.

In the process, the demonstrators ended up smashing the rear window screen of a police vehicle GK B 611 Y Toyota Land Cruiser at Nyakwere trading Centre and GKB 159 Y whose bonnet was partially wrecked.

Tension remained high on the border even as police in anti-riot gear kept vigil 24 hours to deal with any eventuality and acts of lawlessness.

Police arrested suspects Brian Ochieng, 23, Fredrick Ocholla, 27, Oliver Agitho,37, Martin Asino, 17, Steven Omondi, 17 and Philip Juma, 36.

A section of the protesters, police said, were armed with bows and arrows on alleged fear of looting of their property on the Kericho side of the boundary.

Police Constable Sammy Kwendo of Katito police station was hit by a blunt object on his right collar bone in Katito town.

He was rushed to Nyakach sub-county hospital where he was treated and discharged in stable condition. Yesterday, police also said tension is ripe between the two communities, but patrols have been intensified to pacify the area.

Kisumu leaders led by governor Prof Peter Nyong’o, his Deputy Mathews Owili and area MP Aduma Owuor condemned the incident.