Kericho Senator Cheruiyot Accuses Police In Sondu Area Of ‘Laxity’, Calls For Their Transfer
Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot, Senator for Kericho and Senate Majority Leader has demanded that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki promptly transfer all officers in the Sondu area along the Kericho-Kisumu border due to the ongoing violence and property damage.
Senator Cheruiyot, in a press release issued on Thursday, accused the officers in the Sondu area of laxity and failure to stop the attacks that have so far resulted in the deaths of several persons and the injuries of others.
“It is appalling that the officers have been passively spectating as the two sides engage in despicable bloody orgies, with little or no action to restore order, protect lives and property. The officers are complicit for not acting on actionable intelligence on planning and retaliatory attacks from both sides,” stated the Legislator.
The Senate Majority Leader expressed dismay over the losses sustained due to the devastation of businesses, emphasizing that timely intervention by authorities could have prevented these unfortunate occurrences.
Cheruiyot also demanded swift action from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, urging local Sondu leaders and community members to intervene and advocate a ceasefire.
The border confrontations, which began a day before President William Ruto’s scheduled visit to the Nyanza Region, have persisted since Wednesday night, resulting in seven deaths, numerous injuries, and significant property damage.
Additionally, Cheruiyot urged regional leaders to refrain from issuing divisive statements that exacerbate an already volatile situation.
“Celebrating brutality, playing victim and ethnic profiling will not help the situation,” he stated.
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He urged leaders to uphold their oath of office, defend the constitution, avoid politicizing violent acts, and instead work to quell hostilities.
“The people of both counties have lived side by side for decades and share plenty in common. In respect of this, I strongly urge all the elected Leaders, the clergy, opinion makers, and the local administration to assist authorities in bringing to account the few criminal elements perpetrating the senseless acts,” he added.
“Consequently, I demand that the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome and Interior CS Kindiki immediately transfer all officers in the area for laxity and failure to stop the attacks.”
Before his scheduled October 6 tour of Nyanza, President William Ruto has yet to address the insecurity plaguing the region.
The tension in the Sondu region was purportedly sparked by a cattle theft incident on Monday, in which a man from the neighboring sub-county of Soin Sigowet was allegedly killed for his involvement in animal theft.
Youths from Kericho are said to have raided homes in retaliation for the murder, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Over the years, clashes have occurred along the Kisumu-Kericho border because the two counties disagree about the location of the boundary separating them.
In July, two individuals were killed and fifteen others were injured in a similar incident.
Kericho Senator Cheruiyot Accuses Police In Sondu Area Of ‘Laxity’, Calls For Their Transfer