Two shot dead as rival groups clash in Garba Tula

Two people were killed and four injured in two separate incidents in Garba Tula Sub-county, Isiolo, causing tension at the border with Garissa County.

On Saturday evening, a group or armed locals clashed with another from Lagdera, Garissa.

KILLINGS

Garba Tula Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Victor Kamonde said men suspected to be bandits from Lagdera exchanged fire with their counterparts from Uchana, some 5kms from Garba Tula centre.

Two men from Ladgera were shot dead during the incident while one from Isiolo was injured.

The DCC said an unknown number of bandits from Lagdera had been on patrol near Kambi Samaki, when they met a group of men from Isiolo camping nearby. A gun fight was the result.

Isiolo South legislator Abdi Tepo Koropu fired at the home guards, whom he said had also been on patrol.

“One was shot three times in different parts of his body. "We do not know their motive since no livestock were stolen," he said, adding police were slow in their response.

Mr Kamonde denied the allegation of laxity saying police reservists were on the ground and that they responded immediately. He said they received reinforcement from police officers.

CATTLE RAID

At 6am on Sunday, two people sustained injuries during a botched cattle raid at Mata Bofu, Isiolo, by suspected armed rustlers from Lagdera.

Garba Tula Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Victor Kamonde said police and reservists repulsed the attackers and that they fled with injuries

A few hours after the botched raid, one person was injured when fracas erupted at Modogashe livestock market. Troubled started with a confrontation between the members of two pastoralist communities.

Mr Kamonde said, "Some women at the market started shouting and inciting community members against each other. Some rose up to defend their own and a fight erupted but police moved with speed to disperse the charging crowd."

Tension rose when the groups armed themselves with stones and machetes but calm was restored.

Residents living near the border said they were fearful of retaliatory attacks.

Those injured were taken to Garba Tula Sub-county Hospital before being transferred to Isiolo County Referral Hospital.

EXAMS

The Saturday attack forced officials of the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), who had been transporting Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers to a container in Sericho division, to return to Garba Tula.

Mr Kamonde said a helicopter later ferried them tot he location for delivery to schools ahead of Monday's examinations.

"The area is tense but we have beefed up security by enhancing police presence in a bid to restore normalcy, " he said.

The DCC asked residents to keep calm and avoid creating and spreading propaganda that causes fear.

"The government can deal decisively with roadside bandits. Locals should share information with security personnel for easier tracing and arrests," he said.

He promised that the examinations will not be disrupted.