Calm returns to Meru-Isiolo border after revenge attacks

Calm has been restored in Kandebene along Isiolo-Meru border following Sunday’s retaliatory attack between pastoralists from two communities.

One person was killed and two others were injured Sunday when armed herders from the Somali and Meru communities engaged in a confrontation over invasion of livestock into a private land.

Following the incident, angry residents of Kandebene torched a motorcycle and injured the owner after barricading the Murere-Isiolo road.

Security officials from both counties Tuesday held a peace meeting with herders and elders from the two communities in a bid to restore peace.

Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga said police have launched investigations on some suspects believed to have injured and killed the victims.

“The government will not condone such acts where people take law into their hands,” he warned the herders.

BLAMED CAMEL OWNER

Residents blamed a camel owner for crossing and invading private farms in Tigania West, causing tension in the area.

Those injured, all men, are currently in stable condition at Waso Hospital in Isiolo Town.

Mr Chaunga called on officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations from the two sub-counties to speed up investigations and arrest the perpetrators to avoid further confrontations.

The meeting resolved that no herder should forcefully invade private land and that locals from Tigania West should not sell shrubs for grazing to pastoralist communities, unless they cut the grass and transport it to camel owners.

A joint grazing committee involving both communities was also formed to spearhead cohesion.

Tigania West Deputy County Commissioner Alfred Kioko urged locals not to retaliate but always use dialogue to end such stalemates.