At least one person was Wednesday killed and ten others suffered serious gunshot wounds in a confrontation between groups of protesters and police in Sondu at the border of Kericho and Kisumu counties.
The six had gunshot wounds after they were shot by police along Rachuonyo South- Katito Road at Nyakwere area, police said.
Police said the deceased was stabbed in the neck before being hacked to death during the confrontation in Sondu.
Two others were shot with arrows and rushed to the hospital with arrows lodged in their bodies, police and medical officials on the ground said.
A police officer is among those who were attended to at Nyakach Hospital at Pap Ondit and discharged after being hit by a flying object in the collar borne.
The other victims were taken to Sigowet Sub County hospital in Sigowet/Soin sub-county after a violent clash between two communities at Sondu on the border of Kericho and Kisumu counties.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o described the violence as “clashes” between two communities.
“As we investigate the real cause of these conflicts that have claimed lives, and for the sake of peace and good neighbourliness, I wish to appeal for calm,” he said even as he castigated the police, accusing them of protecting the attackers.
Police said they expect the toll to increase as the running battles went on at night.
Tension remained high in the area overnight with police withdrawing from their holding positions out of fatigue.
This left two warring groups fighting. Some raided homesteads and stole cows.
Police said some of the cows were intercepted and returned to the owners.
Police said two of their vehicles were damaged in the confrontation that ensued.
More personnel were taken to the area on Thursday amid calls for calm and plans to hold talks to defuse the tension.
