Nakuru County, Kenya – The government has imposed a week-long curfew in the trading centres of Tipis and Mau Narok after protests over electricity outages escalated into deadly clashes.

Deadly Violence Over Power Outage

According to local officials, residents staged demonstrations after county authorities failed to restore electricity in the area. What began as a protest quickly turned violent when rival groups confronted each other. Witnesses reported that at least a dozen homes were torched, roads were barricaded, and families fled to neighbouring towns. One person was killed, and dozens of households were displaced.

Government Response

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara announced a 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew to curb further violence. “Anyone found outside past 7 p.m. will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said, adding that the restrictions would remain in place for seven days. Extra security forces have been deployed to patrol the area and protect displaced families.

Kibaara confirmed that investigations are under way to establish the root causes of the unrest and to hold accountable those who instigated the clashes. He urged residents to cooperate with security officers and local leaders to restore calm.

Historical Tensions

The Tipis–Mau Narok corridor has long been volatile, with periodic flare-ups tied to resource competition and inter-community rivalry. Police initially downplayed the unrest as a minor dispute, but later admitted it escalated after demonstrators blocked a major road and defied orders to disperse.

Human Rights Concerns

Rights groups have called for a transparent probe into both the conduct of protesters and the actions of security forces. They warned that heavy-handed responses could worsen community grievances if not carefully managed.

Outlook

Authorities say the curfew will be lifted once stability returns and electricity supply is restored. Meanwhile, mediation efforts involving local leaders are under way to prevent further violence and rebuild trust between the communities.