Tension high in Garba Tulla as herders clash over pasture
Residents of Garba Tulla Sub-County, Isiolo County, hold a demonstration on February 21, 2017 following retaliatory attacks pitting two pastoralist communities. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Three victims who were seriously injured are admitted to Kiruua Methodist Hospital in Meru County.
- County Commissioner George Natembeya blamed the attacks on inciters and some politicians.
- He warned that police are investigating them, cautioning that they will be arrested .
Tension is high in Garba Tulla Sub-County, Isiolo County, following retaliatory attacks pitting two pastoralist communities.
Pastoralists from Isiolo and Garissa counties have been involved in revenge attacks for nearly two weeks over failure by Somali herders to follow procedures on grazing areas laid down by elders.
Last week, two people were killed and their private parts chopped off in separate attacks as Somali and Borana herders clashed.
The tension also led to three herders being injured in a shootout on Monday evening in Manyatta Demo, a few kilometres from Garba Tulla Town.
On Tuesday, angry locals held a peaceful demonstration to the local police station and the deputy county commissioner’s office over the increased attacks and insecurity in Garba Tulla.
Isiolo County Police Commander Charles Ontita confirmed the attacks, saying the three victims were seriously injured and are admitted to Kiruua Methodist Hospital in Meru County.
“Two men age below 25 sustained serious gunshot wounds [in] the neck, chest and the groin while a 22-year-old herder who went missing during the shootout has been traced with injuries,” said Mr Ontita.
Residents of Garba Tulla hold a demonstration on February 21, 2017 after herders clashed. County Commissioner George Natembeya said the attacks are being instigated by inciters. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP
INCITERS WARNED
Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya said the attacks are being instigated by inciters and some politicians for their personal interests.
He warned that police are investigating them, cautioning that they will be arrested to prevent further attacks in the area.
Payment for grazing areas by Somali herders is said to be causing the fight since some elders who do not benefit from the funds are said to be inciting the communities to fight.
But Mr Natembeya said that the local security team will hold several peace meetings with elders and herders from both communities to ease the tension.
Nominated MCA Hassan Shano said the government should add the number of police reservists and provide them with guns in order to prevent further attacks on locals.
“The government pledged to arm reservists when they disarmed locals but they are yet to do so,” said Mr Shano.
