North Horr residents protest increased bandit attacks

Residents of North Horr in Marsabit County on Tuesday held a peaceful demonstration pretesting increased killings and banditry.

On Monday, a herdsboywas killed and more than 800 goats stolen by suspected Dasanach bandits after they struck Darate Village at around 10am.

The residents accused the government of not doing enough to deal with the increased insecurity.

They also pointed a finger at their MCA, MP and governor for failing to act on information given earlier and lack of prompt response.

The more than 50 demonstrators presented their grievances to the office of the North Horr Deputy County Commissioner Job Kemei and the OCPD.

Mr Kemei said the search for the stolen animals was on.

He added that no arrest had been made following the Monday incident but said that investigations into the incident had begun in earnest.

The DCC said a KWS helicopter had been dispatched to patrol the area as the search for bandits and livestock was intensified.

REVENGE ATTACKS

He said the attack could have been a revenge following an attack last month by members of the Gabra community in which 31 animals were stolen.

"On August 21 they (Gabra) returned 18 out of 31 cattle they had stolen from the Dasanach. The remaining animals have not been returned,” he said.

He said the two communities have had a dispute that has run for decades.

He dismissed North Horr MP Chachu Ganya’s sentiments that they knew of the imminent attack saying the area has poor communication network and was inaccessible.

He said he has convened a district security and intelligence committee and will hold a peace meetings with members of the two communities on Thursday.

He appealed to the residents to live in harmony and to always share available grazing resources.