NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 – Five people, including a teenager, were killed on Monday in violent ethnic clashes in Likia and Olposimoru, located along the Nakuru-Narok border, following a cattle-rustling incident in the Mau Forest Complex.
Nakuru County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti reported that three men herding livestock within the restricted forest were attacked by raiders who stole five cattle. One herder was killed instantly, while the other two escaped with injuries from arrow wounds.
“This led to a retaliatory attack by the affected community, which intensified the chaos, resulting in further deaths and injuries,” Kimiti explained.
The region has experienced recurring conflicts among the Kikuyu, Kipsigis, Maasai, and Ogiek communities over resources like livestock, grazing lands, and water. Past incidents have led to severe casualties, including a series of clashes in 2018 that left over 20 people dead, homes destroyed, and widespread displacement. The violence persisted until 2020, with authorities imposing curfews and enacting restrictions to ease tensions.
In response to this recent incident, security forces, including the General Service Unit and Kenya Police Service, have been deployed to the area to restore order. Survivors, currently receiving medical treatment, will be questioned by security personnel about their presence in the restricted forest area.
The government has previously implemented measures to curb violence, including prohibiting tall crop cultivation in certain areas, such as Nessuit, Gongogeri, and Mariashoni, to prevent grazing conflicts.
