Kindiki Transfers Security Chiefs Amid Clashes on Kisumu-Kericho Border

As President William Ruto begins his tour of the Nyanza region, the government has taken decisive measures to address the escalating violence in Sondu.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Professor Kithure Kindiki transferred security chiefs from both sides of the area, which borders Kisumu and Kericho counties.

The clashes have resulted in the deaths of seven people, leaving 200 families displaced.

Those relocated by the Interior Minister include top police officials, senior public servants, and community leaders due to their lax response to the situation.

“People have lost their lives, property has been destroyed, and normalcy has been disrupted for two days,” said Professor Kindiki.

The Minister has also dispatched a special security team to control the tribal clashes in the Sondu area on the border between Kisumu and Kericho counties.

In a press release sent to media outlets on Thursday, Professor Kindiki stated that these actions were taken in response to the murders and property damage that have occurred in the region.

By Wednesday evening, October 4, 2023, government officials had confirmed seven deaths in the clashes, which are believed to have erupted after thugs from Kericho attacked their neighbors from Kisumu.

“This special security team will be jointly managed by members of the security committees from the Rift Valley and Nyanza regions. They have been instructed to ensure stability is restored, and the invaders are apprehended and charged with harming the people of Sondu and the surrounding areas,” Professor Kindiki stated in the press release.

“We cannot continue to lose lives, see property destroyed, and witness the compromise of security while police chiefs appear negligent in their duties. We cannot tolerate officers who allow criminals to continue harassing people,” Professor Kindiki added.

The clashes reportedly began after an individual was killed while attempting to steal cattle on the Kisumu side.

Waziri Kindiki announced that further measures to control the violence and crime may be announced on Friday, October 6, 2023, following an assessment of the effectiveness of the special security forces deployed on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Earlier on Thursday, governors from four counties in the Luo Nyanza region called on the government to take urgent action and deploy General Service Unit (GSU) officers to Sondu to maintain peace and security.

In a joint statement, the governors – Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Ochilo Ayacko (Migori), and James Orengo of Siaya – urged the Ministry of Interior to quell the fighting at the Kisumu-Kericho border.

They noted that people from Nyakach sub-county and those near the Sondu market had been attacked for two days by invaders believed to be from the neighboring Kericho County.

Additionally, political leaders from the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition in the region have called on the government to assist the affected Nyakach families in the aftermath of the invasion.