One dead, three injured in Isiolo clashes

Meru North Peace Committee chairman Charles Kamwibua (left), Meru County Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga (2nd left), his Isiolo counterpart Wanyama Musiambo and chiefs from locations along the Meru-Isiolo border during an inter-county peace meeting at Gambela on April 14, 2015. PHOTO | DAVID MUCHUI |

What you need to know:

  • Plans underway for a peace meeting between the Turkana and Samburu.
  • County Commissioner says seven people have so far died in revenge attacks since Easter.

One person was killed and three others injured in clashes over cattle in Isiolo County.

The clashes took place at Ariemet on Friday following revenge attacks between the Turkana and Samburu. The three who were admitted at an Isiolo hospital were injured in an earlier attack in Loruko. No livestock was stolen.

Tension remained high on Saturday after residents of Burat and Ngaremara wards fled their homes to Kiwanja and Nomads area in fear of further retaliatory attacks.

County Commissioner Wanyama Musiambo confirmed the incident, adding that plans were underway for a peace meeting between the two communities.

He said seven people have so far died in revenge attacks since Easter.

Residents of Alamach, Lowangila, Attan and Ariemet could be seen leaving with their belongings despite efforts by security personnel to assure them of their safety.

The two communities have been in conflict over pasture and water for their livestock.

BUFFER ZONE

Mr Musiambo condemned the latest violence, calling for community leaders to move quickly to prevent further bloodshed. He appealed to the communities to co-exist peacefully.

"We want a lasting solution. We don't want to experience what happened last November," he said, adding that the government would facilitate peace forums to unite the communities.

Mr Musiambo said a solution to the crisis was to create a buffer zone to allow both communities' livestock to graze in their respective areas, with people crossing to the other being apprehended.

The County Commissioner said adequate security personnel had been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks.

Chiefs and their assistants from Attan Location, Ngaremara Ward — an area perceived to be a hotspot due to its proximity to the Attan park which has been taken over by pastoralists — were directed to give reports of their area during a meeting of security personnel in the county on Saturday.

Mr Musiambo directed all pastoralists from other counties to return home following the start of rains in most parts of northern Kenya.

He gave a one week ultimatum for the pastoralists at Attan park to leave.

"All our wild animals have been displaced. We need to take action if the county government is unable to do its mandate," Mr Musiambo said.