Scores of potatoes farmers and buyers were injured at Dondori business centre, Nakuru County, after a clash by several groups over prices. The clashes according to eye witnesses erupted after a group of farmers accused their rivals for setting low prices in order to attract brokers. The eye witnesses said that the warring groups were joined by their loyal customers who engaged each other in physical confrontations while accusing each other of foul play. Joseph Njuguna a potato farmer who supplies them in Nakuru using his motorbike told this writer that the clashes that started at around 6am in the morning disrupted normal activities at the business centre as the warring parties attempted to prevent the buying and selling of the farm products at disputed prices. “There has been a dispute for a long time concerning prices of potatoes. Some farmers sell their produce at lower prices to attract more customers. Those who lose customers don’t take it lightly and that is why today they decided to protest openly,’’ said Njuguna. He added that some brokers also offer higher amounts to some farmers to buy in bulk thus disadvantaging other brokers. Confirming the incident on phone Dundori Chief Peter Kariuki said the situation was threatening to cause a major impasse in local business operations but he mobilised local administration police who intervened. He added that he has organised for a meeting between the warring parties to solve the problem amicably and prevent such ugly incidences in future. “The situation was getting out of hand but I managed to mobilise police who restored sanity. Am planning for a meeting with the farmers and brokers to establish what went wrong and way forward,’’he said.

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!