News
11 feared dead in gun battle
Mr Kenneth Lusaka, an official in the Office of the President, addresses a baraza in Mandera to reconcile the Murule and Garre clans, which had been fighting over pasture. Mr Lusaka held barazas in various divisions where residents pledged to uphold a peace accord signed in 2005. Photo/KNA
Posted Sunday, August 3 2008 at 21:11
In Summary
- Two groups fought over grazing pasture as drought continued to hit most parts of the area.
- Five pastoralists are feared dead while six police reservists died, area councillor Ali Aden said.
At least 11 people are feared dead after two groups of fought over pastures over the weekend.
People suspected to be police reservists from Turkana and herdsmen from East Pokot district clashed in Kulal Village, at the border of Turkana and East Pokot district.
According to Akoret ward councillor Ali Aden, the two groups fought over grazing pasture as drought continued to hit most parts of the area.
The civic leader said the pastoralists had moved towards Kulal in search of pasture for their animals after many of their animals died following the dry spell.
Five pastoralists are feared dead while six police reservists died, Mr Aden said.
Seriously injured
Two people were also seriously injured and were yet to be treated as there was no road linking the area to the nearby Chemalingot health centre, he added.
East Pokot District Commissioner Muthuku Mwenga said he had received information that Kulal village had been raided and more than 150 heads of cattle driven off.
He had also been informed that one person who was seriously wounded was taken to Chesawach dispensary.
Mr Mwenga said a security team has already been dispatched to the area that he said has been relatively calm for the past two months.
He urged politicians from the three neighbouring communities –Baringo East, Turkana South, and Samburu East to come together in search of peace in a bid to end the persistent attacks between the communities.
Meanwhile, the death toll from an attack in three villages in Turkana South District has risen from 30 to 50 as security personnel comb the area for the raiders.
More bodies were recovered on Sunday following last Thursday’s attack at Lokui, Naipeton and Lokubae villages in Lokori division by more than 500 suspected Pokot raiders. More than 2,200 animals were driven away.
Villagers including the coordinator of Riam Riam peace project, an organisation which champions for peace in the area Joseph Elim said the bodies were recovered from a thicket after they were shot dead by the raiders.
However, Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner Noor Hassan Noor would not confirm the figures.
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