Three people lost their lives during an early morning clash between two communities in Elgeyo Marakwet County on January 2, 2025.
The conflict, triggered by a border dispute in the Mogil area of Kerio Valley, escalated after one group reportedly set fire to a house in a nearby village. The arson was linked to ongoing disagreements over land ownership. Several others were injured during the confrontation.
Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Zablon Okoyo confirmed that officers were deployed to the scene and managed to calm the situation.
“The dispute stems from a previous agreement between two clans over a parcel of land, but the terms of the agreement were not clearly defined,” Okoyo explained.
“This morning’s gunfight resulted in three fatalities and multiple injuries. We are actively working to prevent further clashes and promote reconciliation between the communities,” he added.
Despite the fatalities, Okoyo described the incident as isolated and maintained that the region had been largely peaceful in recent times.
The violence occurred amid heightened vigilance by law enforcement, as the government intensifies efforts to combat ethnic clashes and banditry in the region.
