Tension erupted in Sotik-Borabu border during the burial of a middle-aged man who is said to have been killed by people from the neighboring Kipsigis community.
On Monday, during the burial of Mr John Onkoba who is said to have been hacked to death by his neighbours from across the border over unclear circumstances, speaker-after-speaker condemned the incident.
Earlier, GSU officers from Chepilat had been deployed in the region following a tip by concerned residents about planned retaliatory attacks.
“We are very sad that few individuals can spoil the peace we have built for over years. It is important for our neighbours to take responsibility and explain the cause of the attacks. It doesn’t matter how long, but we have to retaliate,” said Mr Richard Oindi.
They blamed elders from the Kalenjin community, who were conspicuously absent during the burial, of failing to address the issue, one week after the brutal murder took place.
“The elders know what might have happened because they have failed to help us solve the mystery. We have evidence of who executed the heinous act and that is why it should not go unpunished,” added Mr Elijah Mokamba.
Area chief Charles Angwenyi urged residents to use peaceful methods of dispute resolution and desist from igniting ethnic tension in the region.
“Long gone are the days of ethnic clashes and that is why we have to use peaceful means to solve a crisis. Let us observe peace,” he said.