Detectives in Masaba North in Nyamira say they have arrested at least three suspects in connection with the Wednesday night arson on market stalls in Keroka town.
Sub-County Police boss Robert Ndambiri vowed more arrests in the coming days when he spoke to the Star by phone.
Already, grilling is going on the suspects as the probe to determine the exact motive of the arson gets underway, Ndambiri told the Star by phone late Friday.
The suspects, he said, were taken in early Friday for questioning.
“I am sure they would aid in the ongoing preliminary investigations. We hope to get more accomplices… They shall be taken to court Monday,” stated Ndambiri.
The arrest comes two days apart after unknown thugs raided the central business district of Keroka town and set ablaze several stalls.
Most of the vendors affected had erected stalls on the side initially regarded as part of Kisii County.
A recent court ruling placed large swathes of the town on Nyamira’s side.
Kisii County has since appealed against the ruling in a Kisumu court.
Keroka’s ownership political dispute has been running for over a decade before Rigoma Ward Rep Nyambega Gisesa filed a case in the Nyamira environmental case.
The razing down of stalls Wednesday night was one in the litany of ugly incidents that have characterized the town over a boundary tiff.
On Thursday, Nyamira County Commissioner, Erastus Mbui called for calm adding that the boundary issue was before the courts.
“The destruction of property is uncalled for, traders should not be subjected to such losses. They can operate from any side of the market. We don’t have a law that requires that a business person or trader operate from a specific part of the country,” he told journalists.
On Friday, Masaba North Sub-County police chief Robert Ndambiri said they have already intensified patrols to stem further skirmishes.
” Our officers had been vigilant, we hope nothing untoward erupts to disturb the peace of the town,” he told the Star by phone.
He did not disclose which side of the county the suspects were seized from.
“They are just from within Keroka, that is the much I can tell you for now,” said the police chief.
