Mau clashes leave 400 families homeless

Some of the displaced families camping at Sigaon Academy in Nessuit, Eastern Mau, Nakuru County on September 13,2018. PHOTO | AYUB MUIYURO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By NATION TEAM

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More than 400 families are camping at Sigaon Academy in Eastern Mau, Nakuru County, after they were uprooted from their home by tribal clashes on Wednesday night.

The men, women and their children fled in fear of being attacked in the violence that has left three people dead.

Mr Sammy Kirui, the area assistant chief, said the clashes broke out on Wednesday evening following a dispute over the ownership land on the edges of Mau Forest.

He confirmed that three people were killed while six are nursing arrow injuries at Nakuru Level Five hospital.

Molo police chief Bernard Muinde said security has been beefed up in the affected area.

"We have managed to contain the situation and police are patrolling the area to ensure calm returns," said Mr Muinde.

However, the police boss said by Thursday morning, his officers had not arrested the killers.

"The attacks happened sporadically on Wednesday night and we're tracking down the suspects and very soon we shall arrest the perpetrators," he said.

Several timber houses and businesses premises were torched in the clashes  that rocked the villages of Musegekwa, Tiritagoi and Ndoswa.

Tension is high as residents live in fear. 

Learning has been paralysed in the area with more than 10 schools closed.

They are Sigaon Academy, Ogiek Secondary, Ogiek Primary, Tiritagoi Primary, Nessuit Primary, Nessuit Secondary, Mesibei Primary, Musegekwa Primary, Musegekwa Secondary, Cheptoroi Primary and Cheptoroi Secondary

Police have intensified patrols in the area and at the Sigaon Academy where the displaced families are camping.