Police officers from Keroka have been cautioned against intervening in a border crisis between Kisii and Nyamira counties in the commercial town of Keroka with leaders saying their intervention was likely to bring further divisions.
Tax collectors from either side of the two counties recently engaged in a war of words which culminated to skirmishes that led to apprehension of Ichuni MCA Lawrence Aburi.
Speaking after his release from police custody on Wednesday, Mr Aburi faulted the intervention of the police saying they were ‘clueless’ on the issues at hand.
“I am not bitter that I was arrested but it’s time for the police to keep off the border crisis because it’s administrative. This can only be solved by leaders and that cannot happen if police arrest people arbitrarily. They are clueless on the issue hence they should keep off,” he said.
His sentiments were backed by Kisii County leader of majority Protus Moindi, who said the controversial border issue should be solved by leaders from two counties and said arresting leaders would incite residents from either side to continue with violence.
“This boundary issue at Keroka has been on notice for a while and it’s a normal issue. As leaders, we are committed to get a lasting solution but that cannot happen if police intervene by suspecting the very leaders who are on the front championing for a solution,” he said.
However, Keroka OCPD Peterson Maelo defended the decision to arrest Mr Aburi, saying they were working on intelligence gathering.
“Police do not just act on an issue without intelligence gathering. I plead with leaders to stop dragging police officers to non-issues. The case (on Aburi) is still ongoing and we are concluding on the findings. We will do our work as provided by the law,” he told the reporter when asked about the complaints from the politicians.