Reservists sent to water points after clashes

Security personnel have been deployed at all watering points in Moyale, Marsabit County, after four people were killed at the weekend.

The four were killed at Odda borehole after a disagreement over the use of water on Saturday evening.

“We have posted Kenya Police Reservists and other security agents to avert further clashes,” said Deputy County Commissioner Kamunyan Chedotum on Monday.

Mr Chedotum said leaders were trying to talk to the fighting communities to find a way of sharing the scarce resource.

Eleven camels were killed when herders from one community were ambushed at the watering point.

Soon after the incident, Marsabit Governor Ukur Yattani appealed to the Kenya Defence Forces and the police to deal with the matter.

County police commander Erastus Muthamia on Monday said no arrests had been made. “We have information on these people and we will soon arrest them,” he said.

Most parts of Marsabit County have an acute shortage of water and only four per cent of households have piped water. There are no permanent rivers in the county and the majority of residents rely on boreholes, springs and wells.

Last month, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku urged counties experiencing conflicts to seek the assistance of councils of elders to resolve problems.

Earlier, elders from various parts of the country had signed an accord to promote peace and harmony.