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GSU sent to quell skirmishes at
border
Published on January 14, 2008, 12:00 am
By Beauttah Omanga and Cyrus Ombati
The Government has sent the General Service Unit (GSU) to the
troubled Bureti-Bomet-Nyamira border to quell clashes.
On Sunday, Bureti OCPD, Mr Charles Mukira, said least one person
was killed in fighting between two communities.
"There is a lot of tension between the two communities, but we are
dealing with the aggressors from either side," he said.
The officers arrived at the border of the two districts Sunday
afternoon, and the armed youth fled the battlefront.
North Mugirango MP-elect, Mr Moriasi Ombui, said: "The arrival of
the GSU is a big relief to our people who were not getting enough
assistance from the regular officers. Some had taken sides in the
skirmishes."
He described the fighting as escalation of the post-election
violence. Ombui asked his colleagues from the Rift Valley Province
to condemn the clashes.
"Their silence is not doing the residents any good. There is need
for all leaders to come out and strongly condemn the disturbances
that have cost lives and led to destruction of property," said
Ombui.
Speaking separately, the MP and the OCPD expressed fear that
learning might be interrupted as schools along the border had
become temporary homes for hundreds of displaced residents.
The OCPD said carrying offensive weapons had been outlawed and
warned that those found with them would be arrested.
"The entire border, stretching along three districts, is now a
security operation zone and residents should not carry any weapon,"
warned Mukira.
Nyanza PPO, Ms Grace Kaindi, said security teams from Rift Valley
and Nyanza provinces would patrol the border until peace was
restored.
She asked residents to shun external forces igniting the violence
and continue co-existing peacefully.
Meanwhile, police have denied targeting certain individuals and
communities in their investigations into the cause of
post-election violence.
Detectives have been instructed to be non-partisan and
professional in investigating the inciters and perpetrators of the
chaos.
Police spokesman, Mr Eric Kiraithe said so far they had not
obtained evidence to show that an MP, individual or any leader was
behind the chaos but investigations were ongoing.
"What we have are reports subject to investigations and
confirmation. We have not obtained credible evidence to charge
anyone but once we do so we will take necessary action," he said.
He was reacting to reports that an MP-elect could face incitement
charges over violence witnessed in parts of Rift Valley.
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