Man killed, houses, stores destroyed in ethnic clash in Kagua

By MARJORIE FINKEO
A MAN was killed and three houses and two trade stores were torched during an ethnic clash between two groups in Kagua last Saturday, police said.
Southern Highlands police commander Inspector Gideon Kauke said the incident took place after Riarepa clan members believed that the death of one of their sons last year was caused by the Wambea clan through sorcery.
Kauke told The National that more than 15 suspects from Wambea clan raided Marili village at around 7.30pm and set fire to two permanent houses, a house made with bush material and two trade stores belonging to the Riarepa clan.
“The incident happened straight after a meeting between the two clans about the death of a young man from Wambea clan last year,” he said.
The Wambea people were blaming the Riarepa people for the death.
Kauke said the deceased, Ronald Rekepia, 30, from Riarepa clan, was shot in the chest and died. His brother Joshua Rekepia, 40, escaped with a bullet wound in his back.
Soldiers and police officers were deployed to Marili village the next day to assist.
“The situation is still tense. Police are still keeping a close watch,” Kauke said.
Southern Highlands police have warned public servants not to manipulate people in villages into believing that every death is caused by sorcery and not sickness.
Kauke said they had to stop because tribal fighting were becoming common and harder to control.
“People living in town must stop telling lies to the village people,” he said.
He said people had misinterpret sorcery and locals over-reacted to situations violently.
He said two police vehicles will be on patrol in Kagua and Ialibu-Pangia to keep order in the villages.