Two chiefs among 16 to be charged for incitement over Mariashoni clashes

Two chiefs are among 16 people in police custody for allegedly fueling violence in Mariashoni, Nakuru County, leading to inter-ethnic clashes in the area.

The 16 are set to be arraigned on Monday to answer to various charges including murder and incitement.

Top security officials are now asking 3,008 families currently camping in makeshift camps to return to their homes saying adequate security has been provided.

The inter-community clashes that broke out on Wednesday last week over the Eastern Mau land disputes resulting to bloodshed have already claimed five innocent lives and the impact of the violence is still being felt with over 10 affected villages deserted.

The 3,008 families fled their homes for fear of retaliatory attacks forcing them to live in deplorable conditions at Nessuit, Ainaptich and Msegeko primary schools s well as Nessuit secondary and Elburgon Police Station.

The fights, mainly night attacks, left 83 people injured and 41 are still receiving treatment at various hospital with 198 houses reduced to ashes.

Tough-talking Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya said security officers will not relent in restoring peace in the area following the arrest of the 16.

Already, the 6pm to 7am curfew imposed in the area has seen relative calm restored to the area and a series of peace-building meetings are expected starting Monday.

The area, on the Eastern part of the Mau forest, has been on the spotlight for evictions that have now been stopped by the court.

Many who had been evicted have slowly started returning pending the outcome of the court case, but it seems that the hard fight in court might be undone by the fighting on the ground.