The young boy, a Grade 6 pupil, was set to sit for his Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams but lost his life during the violence along the Migori-Narok county border.
The clashes, which have been ongoing for years, recently intensified, resulting in the loss of 12 lives over the past three months.
According to Wambura Marwa, the father of the slain boy, his son left home on Sunday morning to tend to livestock near the border, unaware of the danger awaiting him.
Hours later, Marwa was summoned to the Gitembe police station, where he faced the heartbreaking task of identifying his son’s body.
“It’s heartbreaking to see my harmless son killed in such a manner; it pains me as a father. My son’s only crime was being a Kuria,” Marwa expressed tearfully.
Local residents have raised concerns about the role of security forces stationed at the border, accusing them of showing bias and failing to protect Kuria residents.
Some locals allege that these officers have taken sides, causing mistrust between the security forces and the Kuria community.
Community members, including Magabe Johannes Chacha, say they have long been victims of raids where their property is stolen, homes invaded, and lives taken, with little response from the authorities.
Kuria East Member of Parliament Kitayama Maisori spoke out against the police, accusing them of failing to protect the community.
He urged residents not to retaliate but to stay calm, reassuring them that efforts are underway to resolve the crisis.
“We want a lasting solution to this border conflict,” he stated, promising that he would work with regional security officers and the national security committee to address the issues.
Meanwhile, Migori Deputy Governor Joseph Mahiri urged the national government to take the situation seriously, as local officials have struggled to contain the violence.
Mahiri called on the neighboring Narok County leaders to join hands in bringing peace to the area.
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