Nyanza Governors Demand Deployment of GSU Over Sondu Clashes

GSU officers
A contingent of General Service Unit officers embark on an operation on April 4, 2016.
Photo
National Police Service

Nyanza Governors, Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu), James Orengo (Siaya), and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) have demanded Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to deploy GSU police to quell clashes in the Sondu region. 

In a joint statement, the governors lamented that attempts by the police to re-establish security, law, and order have been futile. 

"In fact, the police from the Kericho side have either shown substantial support for the warriors or turned a blind eye to their attacks on our people.

"We strongly propose that the government urgently sends a contingent of GSU to that area to restore peace and security," the governors stated. 

Azimio Leader Raila Odinga meets governors from Lake Region Economic Block on Monday, September 11, 2023.
Azimio Leader Raila Odinga meets governors from Lake Region Economic Block on Monday, September 11, 2023.
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Raila Odinga

The three governors elected under the Azimio La Umoja party added that the clashes in Nyakach Sub-County in Kisumu, around the Sondu market, have prevailed for the last two days.

They pinpointed the blame on the neighboring communities in Kericho County, despite a recent warning by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) that such remarks may fuel the clashes. 

Their statement further alleged that seven people were reported dead, several heads of cattle were stolen, and houses were burnt down. Kenyans.co.ke couldn't independently verify the claims.

"The issue of the boundary between the two counties should be settled expeditiously using lawful and proper government procedures," Nyong'o, Orengo, and Wanga proposed.  

President William Ruto is also yet to speak on the insecurity bedeviling the region ahead of his Nyanza tour slated to commence on Friday, October 6. 

However, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki toured the Sondu area on July 15, condemning the attacks and warning those orchestrating the attacks under the disguise of border disputes.

Nyanza MPs led by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi on October 4, issued demands to the government, asking it to address the issue before it culminates into an unmanageable situation.

''There is a danger that if these killings are not stopped, the victims are likely to feel that they have been abandoned by the state and therefore resort to measures to protect themselves,''  said Wandayi.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki arriving at Lamu County on September 13, 2023.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki arriving at Lamu County on September 13, 2023.
Photo
Kithure Kindiki
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