Nkaissery Narok curfew 'useless', residents say, claim fresh attacks

The Interior ministry's curfew on Olposimoru in Narok county following clashes and a visit by the CS were pointless, residents have said.

They claimed more houses were torched and more residents injured in clashes despite the 6pm to 6am curfew that CS Joseph Nkaissery imposed on Sunday.

The Cabinet Secretary and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet also held a meeting with leaders from the county.

A clinical officer at Olenguruone district hospital said three people, among nine more who had been admitted, died on Monday morning. He said three others had been hospitalised earlier.

Resident said Nkaissery should have began by ensuring those who fled their homes return from a school where they took refuge and are guarded by GSU officers.

"His tour to the region was useless. How can we be told GSU officers are coming... How can a curfew be issued yet thousands of people are taking refuge outside their home county," one said

Resident Benard Too, who was affected by the clashes, accused the government of incompetence and failing to implement plans and address underlying issues.

"We do not want leaders to lie to the public that the clashes have ended. Yesterday night after the meeting, more people were injured and more houses torched," he claimed.

"We want the government to engage leaders in proper peace talks instead of issuing empty orders."

Victim Hassan Sang who was admitted with cuts in the head, hands and legs said he was attacked moments after Nkaissery assured peace would be restored.

"After the government leaders asked us to cool down and promised the government was restoring peace, I chose to go back to Olenguruone where my other family members are taking refuge but I was attacked on the way," he said.

Olengape resident John Koech claimed more houses were burned despite the decree that officers from the General Service Unit would keep watch.

Only one lorry with about 20 officers is in the area, he said, adding attacks are taking place in areas lacking officers. He cited the lower side of Tegat and near Olmariko.

Olengape resident Kipkoech Too told the press that GSU and other security officers camped near Olposimoru centre while fighting went on in interior parts of Olengape and Tegat, where roads were poor.

A resident who sought anonymity said the fighting resulted from the settlement of the Kalenjin community in Narok North, claiming the county government plans to issue them with title deeds by April.

But county police commander Abdi Galgalo said the night was calm and that no more houses were torched after more GSU officers were deployed to Olposimoru.

"Police are patrolling the region and business activities are resuming," Galgalo told the Star on phone, adding a "serious operation" will see anyone found with weapons arrested and punished.

Source