Isiolo police hunt down attackers

Police confiscate guns at Danaba trading centre in Mandera on August 12, 2015. 

Photo credit: File

What you need to know:

  • Mr Rutto said two attackers had laid an ambush where Mr Hantati had gone to inspect a water pump.
  • The incident comes barely 10 days after nine houses were torched by arsonists' in Tanna.

A 70-year-old man in Isiolo County was killed in what is viewed as another revenge attack by assailants suspected to be from Garissa County.

Galgalo Hantati was pronounced dead at Garba Tulla Sub County Hospital.

He was shot at Taiboto in Garba Tulla.

Garba Tulla Deputy County Commissioner Kipchumba Rutto said two attackers had laid an ambush where Mr Hantati had gone to inspect a water pump at Taiboto bore hole.

He suspected that the 7am incident was a retaliatory attack by the bandits who were flushed out of the county for causing insecurity.

Police and reservists have been deployed to track down the suspects who were armed with AK-47.

“This is another revenge attack following the county security team’s move to flush out Somali herders in Isiolo South constituency due to increased tension between pastoralists from Isiolo and Garissa counties,” Mr Rutto said.

He claimed that the attackers from Garissa were annoyed since they cannot access pasture and watering points for their livestock, as the drought prevails.

The incident comes barely 10 days after nine houses were torched by arsonists' in Tanna, suspected to be from Garissa.

Police are yet to make arrests.

Mr Rutto further said law enforcers have deployed in the hot spot areas of Malkadaka, Duse and Garba Tulla to curb more cases of insecurity.

Other security personnel have been tasked with escorting buses and lorries using the Modogashe-Garba Tulla road following cases of hijacking.

He urged locals to be calm as police conduct investigations.