By Betty Luke
Tension is high at Kamanga area at the border of Isiolo and Samburu Counties after four herders were killed and one injured and an unknown number of cattle stolen on Monday evening.
The four were among a number of young men who were herding their livestock on the Isiolo side when some of the goats crossed to the other side.
Isiolo County Police Commander Joseph Kigen said the attack had happened at the Samburu side adding that investigations had been launched to recover the stolen animals.
“We have launched investigations and officers are following up to recover the stolen goats,” said Mr Kigen.
Isiolo County Health Chief Officer Ibrahim Alio said that the injured person who was admitted at Isiolo Referral Hospital was in a stable condition.
“He was shot on one of the legs and assessment is underway to determine if he has any bullet lodged in the body,” said Mr Alio.
Burat ward MCA Hassan Yarrow called for speedy deployment of officers to the area for calm to resume saying more than 20 people had been killed and property destroyed at the area in recent past.
“We ask the security system to beef up security so we do not continue losing lives and properties,” said the MCA.
He added though the government had severally promised to compensate residents’ who had lost their properties during previous raids, nothing had been done making residents continue to suffer.
“The security organs should ensure stolen animals are recovered and if not so, compensate residents for the loss,” MCA Yarrow said.
The young man injured during the May 31 attack receiving treatment at Isiolo Referral Hospital. BETTY LUKE/PRESS POINT
A 80-year-old Mzee Sharrif and Abdirahman Mohammed who are supposedly victims of livestock raids, asked the State to disarm their Samburu neighbours saying they were living in fear of attacks.
“More than 1000 of my cattle have been stolen and I have also lost my children to the raids. The government should ensure all illegal weapons are surrendered for peace to prevail,” said Mr Sharrif.
Mr Mohammed lashed out at police over what he termed as failure to beef up security beefed at the area saying nothing had been done despite numerous calls.
“The illegal guns should be surrendered so that we all continue grazing with sticks and not guns,” said Mr Mohammed.
