Igembe residents block roads leading to Isiolo to protest persistent attacks

Residents of Kiutine in Igembe Central Wednesday blocked roads leading to Kangeta and Maua towns in protest over conflicts with neighbouring communities.

The move was aimed at denying the Borana from Isiolo County access to markets in Igembe.

This came a day after MPs from Meru County led by Senator Kiraitu Murungi issued a statement in Nairobi threatening to break all trading ties with the community unless the government takes action to end the persistent conflicts.

This statement followed conflicts that have been experienced in the northern grazing zones and cattle rustling which usually lead to people losing their lives.

The most affected sub-counties are Tigania East, Igembe Central, and Igembe North which borders Isiolo County.

In the most recent incident, suspected Borana cattle rustlers attacked a village in Igembe North leaving seven people dead and more than 500 animals stolen.

(READ: One killed, animals stolen in cattle raid)

DEFEND THEMSELVES

In their statement, the MPs vowed to lead their people to defend themselves to avoid more attacks.

The blocking of Kina-Maua road at Kiutine is the first major blow to people who mainly live in Kina and Garbatulla areas.

They use this route to access Kangeta market where they sell their animals and in return buy food.

There is little crop farming in the pastoralist area due to persistent dry weather conditions.

Another market accessed through the same route is Maua where Isiolo residents also sell goats and buy commodities like vegetables, cereals and more importantly goods for sale in their shops back in Garbatulla and Kina.

They usually visit Maua on Monday, Wednesday and Friday every week using lorries as their main means of transport.

A spot check by the Nation in Maua Town confirmed that no lorry belonging to the Borana was in the town.

Another route used by the community is the Gachuuru-Mutuati road which was also blocked.

This is the route which leads to the village where the recent attacks took place.

(READ: Five killed as cattle raiders attack village)

CUT RELATIONSHIP

The residents vowed to cut any relationship between them and the community as a solution to the conflicts they have been experiencing.

Mr James Kiramana, a resident of Kiutine said they while they have been good to their neighbours from Isiolo, they have always frustrated them in return.

“Imagine giving your neighbour a place to graze animals in your shamba and in appreciation he takes your animals and kills you if you try stop him from taking them. Is this your friend or worst enemy?” he posed.

Meru National Park Deputy Senior Warden Haron Sang said their business had been greatly affected by the conflicts as visitors avoided going to the area.

He said the persistent attacks were scaring away the would-be visitors.

“Issues of GSU and other forces fighting people in this area are obviously not going well with our visitors.

“We border the two communities and therefore no one would risk coming to such an area for fear of attacks,” he said.

At the same time, he said the blocked roads were the same used to access the park and people would have to wait for the stalemate to end before going there.

He called on the Meru County government and the tourism ministry to quickly intervene before the situation goes out of hand.