Leaders from Kisumu and Kericho are now claiming that politicians from the Rift Valley are behind attacks that left six people dead at the weekend.
More than 20 houses were torched and 100 families displaced following the clashes that took place in broad daylight.
(READ: Violence breaks out in Nyakach)
Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor on Monday called for investigations into claims that senior politicians funded and organised the attacks.
“We cannot live in fear because a few individuals want our communities to be at loggerheads.
“Let the police move fast and quell the tension in the area,” he said.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga took the national government to task over the conflict saying:
“We want the Inspector-General of Police to take the matter seriously because the laxity witnessed among the police will make the situation worse.”
A family moving from Cherwa in Nyakach after their houses was torched. Photo/TOM OTIENO
Kericho Senator Charles Keter however said leaders cannot end the hostilities by shifting blame.
“We want immediate action to be taken as the violence has interrupted business that has been going on between the two counties,” he said.
Youth in Nyakach argue with a police office at the border of Nyakach and Nandi on March 9, 2014.
Uneasy calm has since returned to the area following the deployment of police from the Anti-Stock-Theft and General Service Unit. The Kenya Red Cross has also put up camps hosting the displaced families.
A police officer walks away from armed youth in Nyakach on March 9, 2014.
Kisumu County Commissioner Lorna Odero said she is in talks with her Kericho counterpart Rashid Mohammed to boost security.
Police officers deployed to the border of Nyakach and Nandi on March 9, 2014.
“We are calling for peace and security to prevail in the two counties. We are working towards ending the cases of cattle theft as soon as possible as we seek to protect the lives and property of Kenyans,” she said.
Police officers remove stones that were used by youths at Onyuongo to barricade the road on March 9, 2014.
Bornes Magut, a resident of Kapsitik Village in Kericho West District said people from her village and the neighbouring ones had been attacked.
Six people died in the clashes at the border of Nyakach and Nandi at the weekend. Photo/TOM OTIENO
According to her, many young men are now afraid of grazing their livestock in open fields.
“Our sons have been accused of being cattle thieves. Just recently, a young neighbor was attacked at his home and hacked to death in the middle of the night as I heard but I could do nothing to assist him,” she said.
Reported by Elvis Ondieki, Moses Odhiambo and Timothy Kemei
Its all good.