Steve Mkawale
19 March 2008
Nairobi — Tension remains high in Molo District even as calm returns in other parts of the country.
There is still animosity between two communities fueled by the aftermath of last year's General Election.
The communities attack each other with no sign that peace will return to the troubled district soon.
The attacks have rendered Molo Town a no-go zone for members of one of the warring communities.
And members of the other community, displaced by post-election violence, cannot venture to their farms in Kuresoi.
Local OCPD, Mr Litabalia Achesa, has warned those frustrating the repatriation of the displaced.
"We are warning the youths attacking those returning to their homes that we will apply the full force of the law against them," he said on Tuesday.
Last Monday, a police officer was among five people injured as the displaced returned to their homes in Sagaitim Farm.
The officer lost his firearm and was taken to Molo District Hospital with four civilians.
On Tuesday, police shot dead a youth in a group burning houses and looting vacated homes at Mwaragania village in Kuresoi.
The Standard learnt that the marauding youths were determined not to allow the displaced families to return to their homes.
In retaliation, members of the rival community have vowed not allow their opponents in Molo Town.
Those wishing to travel to Nakuru from Kuresoi use alternative routes.
"We are now forced to go through Kericho and join the Nakuru-Eldoret road to reach Nakuru - a journey that costs four times the normal fare," said Mr Peter Ng'etich.
Two incidences of lynching targeting one community were reported in the town last month.
A man near the local post office was cornered and bludgeoned to death when his attackers learned he was from a rival community.
The incident sparked a series of attacks at Mau Summit trading centre, where three people were killed and several houses torched.
The attacks spread to Mauche and Ndeffo in Njoro division, where four people were killed.
They were either dragged out of matatus and beaten to death or shot with arrows as they worked on their farms.
The displaced have complained that gangs of armed youths were frustrating their efforts to return home.
"They are now torching our vacated homes and even threatening those going back to prepare their farms for planting," said Mr Kimani Kibe from Mau Summit.
Two MPs from the district have called for calm and urged residents to live in peace.
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