Exactly two months after HiviSasa.com revealed a conflict between members of two clans from Nyamira over succession of outgoing Riamoni chief Francis Ragusu, who is retiring this month, the battle has intensified with the incumbent challenged to quit from the debate.
Close allies of Riooga assistant chief Peter Orina of Bogetutu clan and those supporting Mr Sambu Bosire of Riamoni sub-location (Botabori clan) on Wednesday clashed near Mosobeti trading centre, with Abagetutu clan accusing Rasugu of favoring his clan man, Sambu.
They threatened to table the matter to Nyamira County commissioner Josephine Onwong’a, besides backing Mr Orina to the post on grounds that he had been in the service for long.
“It is quite sad that the Abagetutu are being discriminated. The incumbent has been lobbying for the young and inexperienced Sambu and this is unacceptable. We will not rest till this matter is solved by the county commissioner. We can never allow the incumbent to compromise the appointment of the incoming chief,” said Mr Amos Matara.
However, Mr Makini Peter of Botabori clan dismissed the allegations and urged their counterparts to desist from imagining a conflict.
“Our brothers from the other side are imagining a conflict. It is not the incumbent who appoints the incoming chief. That is a purely administrative matter that we cannot handle as civilians,” he said.
But on Wednesday, the chief under controversy Mr. Rasugu distanced himself for the accusations and urged members of both clans to live in harmony.
“We are brothers and sisters and all knows that I have no role in deciding who takes over after me. Let the best candidate get appointed but allow me to retire in peace,” he said.