By Isaac Ochieng
Conflict rises between the Maasai and Kuria communities leaving 3 people dead. Tension rises at Magena in the Kuria East and Transmara West boundary over land disputes between the two communities.
Conflict began on the 14th of July when a Kuria man allegedly crossed over to Transmara and claimed ownership over a piece of land owned by the Maasai. The man’s body was later found after he was suspected to have been killed by Maasai herdsmen.
As a result, Maasai warriors armed with AK47 rifles attacked a Kuria village in Magena weeks later. Two women suffered bullet wounds and were rushed to Kigonga District Hospital. Fortunately, the casualties survived. They were treated and admitted.
Maasai herds men have risen the death toll to three after killing two other Kuria men the following day.
An uproar from Kuria community, resulted to a retaliation; there by raiding a Maasai village and forcefully taking about 100 cattle.
The anti-stock theft unit together with APs swarm into action recovering the animals which were returned to the Maasai who claimed to have lost 300 cattle during the raid.
To put an end to this bone of contention, the Deputy County Commissioners of both Kuria East and Transmara West convened a joint peace security meeting together with the County Peace Coordinator, Mr. Castro Baraka, the sub-county administrator, District peace committee chairmen from both Kuria East and Transmara West, the respective district security teams and some members of the public.
Unfortunately members of the Kuria community were not present at the meeting, Baraza said.
During the meeting, It was therefore recommend that the police would be stationed in the border to create a buffer zone for the two communities. Economic activities in the region was to be cut off completely to avoid grazing at the disputed land.
Baraza appeals to the county Government and any potential donors to assist in providing support to security officers by providing food, shelter and proper sanitary equipment.
The bereaved locals in Kuria ask support from the Migori County Government in providing transport for the dead to be laid to rest and also provide security during burials.
He calls for peace talks within the two communities to avoid escalation of violence in the region.
The County Government has been in formed and expectations are high for an immediate intervention.
it is so embarassing and sad to loose the beloved just like less important assets like that, i condole the berieved and kindly appeal to the,county government of migori to be very vigilant in peace preaching. we should all known that peaceful talk will bring the long desired peace in such regions.
i this is not a time that kurians to fight we need to focus on the things thatcan change ourlives and economy such as education and business the issue of fighting was of the past. the bad thing with maasai is that they don’t reason so only thing is to stay peacefull and focus to the future
its the primitivity of the kuria and maasai to fight against land instead of ploughing the land to benefit