Two killed in fresh clashes along the Kisii-Transmara border

Scores have been injured, and several farms torched as tensions between the two communities escalate. 

The renewed violence has disrupted transport, trade, and other essential services, leaving residents in fear. Security officials from Kisii and Narok held an emergency meeting at the border on Sunday to seek ways of restoring calm. 

Amateur footage paints a grim picture of the situation along the Kisii-Transmara border, where scenes of chaos and confrontation have become the order of the day.

The violence, which has persisted for some time, has now claimed at least two lives, while several farms have been torched, leaving a trail of destruction along the volatile border.

In the footage, youths from the Kisii side confront their counterparts from Transmara, with both sides armed with what appear to be dangerous weapons.

Fear has also gripped residents, with the insecurity disrupting even Sunday worship as many stayed away from places of worship for fear of being caught up in the violence.

"We came here for prayers, and the situation is very bad. We are asking the government to control the situation, we want,” says a resident. 

Normal life has been paralysed. Businesses remain closed, movement has become increasingly difficult, and residents are uncertain about what the coming days will hold.

"As residents of Kiango, even crossing over to the Maasai side has become difficult. Business is bad, children are supposed to open schools, but we do not know how it will be,” another resident told Citizen TV.

The deteriorating situation forced security officials from Kisii and Narok to convene an emergency meeting at Nyabitunwa, seeking to assess the extent of the violence and restore calm, although a section of the warring parties skipped the meeting.

"We want anyone found with a weapon to be taken action against; we also know there are inciters,” says James Macharia. 

"As security officers, we must ensure peace has returned to this area,” says Kipkech Lotiatia, Narok County Commissioner:

Elders say the answer lies not in revenge, but in dialogue. They are now appealing to the two warring communities to lay down their weapons and restore peace that has for years defined their coexistence.

The conflict is reportedly linked to a dispute between two youths from the neighbouring communities, who were allegedly fighting over a woman at a local drinking establishment in Nyabitunwa.

"We condemn the ongoing fighting along the Kisii and Transmara border. The security department must restore peace and the youth must stop fighting,” says Davis Dikiir, Speaker of Narok County Assembly.

"What we are witnessing along our border needs a quick intervention, we urge the youth and community to maintain peace,” adds Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke.