Nakuru Deputy Speaker Samuel Tonui and four others have been arrested over ethnic clashes at Nessuit area in Njoro, and will remain in police remand until Thursday this week as investigations continue.

Nakuru Senior Principal Magistrate Liz Gicheha rejected bail application by the accused, which had also been rejected by the prosecution. The Prosecution had sought orders to remand the suspects for a further 14 days to allow detailed investigations.

The suspects were arrested last week for allegedly propagating the ethnic clashes, and spent the weekend at Njoro Police Station.

Deadly operation

One man was shot dead by police last Friday night in the ongoing operation to restore calm in the region.

Regional Coordinator in Njoro Mongo Chimwaga confirmed that two chiefs from the area had also been arrested.

The prosecution argued the situation in Njoro was volatile and putting the suspects on the lose would cause more tension, and witness interference.

The deputy speaker was referred to Nakuru Level V Hospital for health checkup after he sought to be released on basis that he was ill.

At least six people have been killed and more than 500 families displaced from their homes in what residents claim is a fight for a piece of land near the Mau Forest cut line.