Government imposes curfew in Njoro after tribal clashes leave one dead

The government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew at Mwisho wa Lami and Tipis in Njoro, Nakuru County, after one person was killed and eight were injured in suspected tribal clashes.

The clashes between the two communities saw at least 10 houses torched on Saturday night, where seven people suffered serious cut wounds and one was shot with an arrow.

Hundreds of tense residents fled Tipis Centre on Sunday morning for fear of further attacks. Those fleeing their homes were ferried using tractors and motorbikes.

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara announced that, commencing yesterday, residents of the two centres would be required to remain indoors from 7pm to 5am daily.

“No one should be seen loitering outside from 7pm. If those working on farms delay, they should sleep there until the following day,” said Kibaara.

He added that security officers would be deployed for one week to patrol and maintain peace. Addressing residents at Tipis and Mwisho wa Lami trading centres, Kibaara warned that anyone arrested past curfew hours would be charged in court.

He said residents were fleeing Tipis due to insecurity caused by misunderstanding and misinformation. According to Kibaara, one community was spreading rumours that their livestock had been stolen on Saturday night, sparking the chaos.

“Do not take revenge, let us live in peace. These spreading rumours must stop. We have heard it was illegal protests over electricity outages that sparked these issues — let that settle. We will install a new transformer,” he said.

He urged residents not to destroy land belonging to the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC), noting that while evictions had been planned, the county government was negotiating to prevent displacement.

“If you kill each other, who will benefit? One person was killed in the process. Let us unite and resolve our issues in a civilised manner,” said Kibaara.

Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia blamed Tipis residents for allegedly starting the chaos by barricading the Nakuru–Narok Highway on Friday morning.

He said the government was working hard to restore peace and warned that stern action would be taken against those exploiting the unrest.

“We have been informed that some people have taken advantage of the chaos to steal from motorists, attack fellow residents, and spread rumours. Do not give them a chance,” said Lotiatia.

Nakuru County Commander Emmanuel Epuru echoed residents’ calls that those found outside during curfew would be treated as criminals.

Even as the curfew was imposed, Joseph Thiongo was mourning the loss of his son, David Muiruri, who was shot on Saturday night during an attack by one of the communities.

Thiongo said his 30-year-old son, a casual labourer with no wife, was shot in the head while heading home.

“I received the news at 1am and today I went to see my son in Njoro. He was still young. I call for peace and justice,” he said.

The clashes reportedly began on Friday after residents of Tipis staged a protest over a month-long power outage. According to Samuel Kamau, a motorist from another community tried to pass through the barricade and allegedly drew a knife after being obstructed and having his car hit with a stone.

Police intervened, but the conflict escalated on Saturday morning when attackers stormed the market and, later in the evening, torched homes.