Police arrest 26 suspects over Moyale, Isiolo attacks

Police in Isiolo and Moyale have in the past one week arrested 26 suspects, among them chiefs and civic leaders, for allegedly fanning violence in the area.

Eastern Provincial police boss Marcus Ochola said the suspects had been charged in court with incitement, murder and arson, and that some had been freed on bond.

He said the arrests, coupled with beefing up of security in the affected areas, had helped ease the tension.

The violence that hit the upper eastern region earlier this month involved neighbouring communities taking up arms and attacking each other.

Gone into hiding

Mr Ochola said investigations into the clashes had pointed to incitement by local leaders over the sharing of resources, land, and local politics.

“Our investigations have revealed that local leaders were at the heart of the violence and some of them have since been charged with incitement,” he said.

Several other councillors had gone into hiding and were being sought by police to assist with investigations into the violence which led to death of tens of people.

Peace meetings spearheaded by community elders and the provincial administration were ongoing to dissuade communities against attacking each other. Mr Ochola said police were on high alert.