Violence puts Kisii on edge as pressure mounts on Arati to rein in ‘Green Army’

Traders in Getembe area of Kisii town are living in fear after suspected goons allegedly raided their businesses on Friday night, assaulting several vendors and making away with cash and other valuables.

The attackers struck at about 9pm as traders prepared to close for the day, reportedly beating some of them before fleeing with unspecified amounts of money.

A butcher said the attackers took Sh3,000 from him and a kilogramme of meat he had bought for his family. He sustained a machete cut to the head during the attack.

Vegetable vendor Moraa Kwamboka said the suspects descended on traders and attacked people indiscriminately.

She said she lost Sh2,000 in cash from the day’s sales.

“As two attacked me, the third reached into my purse and helped himself to the Sh2,000 that was in it,” she told journalists as she broke down in tears.

The incident has heightened anxiety among traders, many of whom say they increasingly feel unsafe conducting business in parts of Kisii town.

Some traders alleged that the attackers were members of the controversial group popularly known as the “Green Army”, which they accused of intimidating residents and traders.

“We were doing our normal business when the group arrived and started attacking people. Some traders were injured and others lost their money,” said John Omari.

Tom Ombuna said the attacks had created an atmosphere of fear among small-scale traders who rely on their daily earnings to support their families.

“We come here to make a living, not to fight with anyone. We want the authorities to protect us and ensure that nobody uses violence to intimidate traders,” he said.

The latest incident comes amid growing political tensions and allegations of violence and intimidation in Kisii, with opposition leaders and sections of residents raising concerns over attacks allegedly targeting political opponents and ordinary citizens.

Speaking on Friday at a burial in Nyaribari Chache, presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka raised concerns over what they described as troubling incidents of violence and intimidation in the county.

Matiang’i called on Governor Simba Arati to take responsibility for the security situation and ensure residents are protected.

“Our people cannot live in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Leaders come and go; let’s abhor thuggery,” Matiang’i said.

Onyonka also condemned political violence, saying the shedding of blood for political reasons was unacceptable among the Omogusii.

“Shedding blood because of politics is a taboo for the Omogusii,” Onyonka said, urging leaders to reject violence and embrace peaceful political competition.

The allegations linking Friday night’s attackers to the Green Army could not be independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the suspects belong to any organised group.

Traders have called on police to investigate the incident, arrest those responsible and enhance security patrols in markets and other busy areas of Kisii town.

They said political differences should not be allowed to threaten their livelihoods or put innocent lives at risk.