The government has imposed a curfew in Tipis, Mau Narok (Njoro), Southeast of Njoro town in Nakuru County, following a wave of clashes which left one dead and dozens displaced on the evening of Saturday, August 30.
Initial reports suggested protests turned violent in the Tipis area over an alleged lack of power for nearly two months. However, by Sunday morning, the aftermath of the clashes suggested a deeper issue at play.
Tens of families were left displaced after hundreds of goons descended on them, torching houses and assaulting civilians at night.
According to one survivor, his area of residency was attacked by at least 200 masked individuals, leaving several with serious injuries.
On Sunday morning, it was confirmed that 12 houses were torched, while key roads were blocked by burning tyres in the aftermath of the mayhem on Saturday evening.
Speaking on Sunday, Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara announced a 7pm to 5am curfew in Tipis and Mwisho Wa Lami for one week to curb the escalating violence.
Kibaara urged residents of the area to take the curfew seriously, with individuals found outside during curfew hours facing potential arrests.
"We now have a curfew in effect. If 7pm finds you in the plantation, you will have to spend the night there and continue your journey in the morning," he said.
For a large part of Sunday, areas including Tipis, Mau Narok, Mauche and parts of Njoro were marred by tensions between the two communities who were mostly affected by the skirmishes.
Notably, the areas have a history of inter-community violence, with similar incidents being reported in 2018 and 2020.
Police had initially played down the violence, suggesting that frustration over a two-month blackout prompted locals to resort to unrest, particularly after one vehicle was left severely damaged.
Nakuru County Commander Emmanuel Opuru told Kenyans.co.ke that the violence stemmed from a disagreement after a section of residents blocked roads, sparking confrontations that quickly escalated.
