File | NATION A convoy of police vehicles drives through Isiolo during a past operation to maintain peace. Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere has said 800 officers will be deployed to the area following the latest spate of attacks.
By HASSAN HUKA hassan_huka@yahoo.co.uk
Posted Saturday, December 31 2011 at 22:00
Posted Saturday, December 31 2011 at 22:00
IN SUMMARY
- Five others were injured after gun-wielding men shot at a relief centre hosting people seeking refuge
At least nine people were killed in cold blood after gunmen opened fire at a village and a relief centre hosting people seeking refuge in Isiolo town on Friday night.
Police said five others were injured in the 7pm incident, the latest in a series of attacks that have heightened tension in the town and surrounding areas where two warring communities are said to be fighting over pasture.
The unidentified gunmen shot indiscriminately at Kambi Sheikh and the Catholic centre in Kambi ya Juu estate before disappearing into the night. Police fear that the death toll might rise as some people ran into a plantation during the attack.
“So far we have found nine bodies, but we are still searching the area to see if there are others since many people escaped into the bush with injuries,” Isiolo OCPD Augustine Nthumbi said.
Injured persons
The injured persons, including a two-year-old child, are recovering at Isiolo District Hospital.
A woman, her two children and a Catholic catechist were among the villagers killed by the armed raiders, who did not steal any property.
The Friday night attack came a few hours after a Somali herdsman was killed and three others injured in a raid at Mlango area. No animals were stolen.
The latest attack in the Isiolo conflict raises the number of people killed in less than a week to 15.
On Thursday, Eastern PC Clare Omolo toured Burat and Kambi ya Juu areas to urge the Turkana and Somali communities to live in harmony, but despite them agreeing to do so, gunmen attacked on Friday night.
According to the Eastern provincial police chief, Mr Marcus Ochola, the attack could be a revenge mission following last week’s killing of four Somali herders at Burat settlement.
Mr Ochola said more than 200 police officers have been deployed to Isiolo to restore security.
The tension has forced many people to flee their homes in Kambi ya Juu and parts of Kulamawe and Bulapesa estates.
Police Commissioner Matthew Iteere flew to Isiolo and held crisis talks with his officers in the wake of the spate of violence that has left residents living in fear.
Mr Iteere said an additional 800 officers would be deployed to hunt down the gunmen and bring those responsible for the attacks to book.
Tribal lines
Mr Iteere said communities in the area were fighting over grazing land and politics that was splitting residents along tribal lines.
He urged locals to support police efforts by volunteering any information they deem important to arresting the gunmen.
“More police officers will be deployed here and we will not allow this spiral of attacks to continue,” said Mr Iteere.
The commissioner held an hour-long security meeting with area police chiefs to map out hotspots and deploy more police officers.
“Five OCPDs from Garbatula, Tigania east and west, Buuri and Isiolo are working together to beef up security and stop this madness,” said Mr Ochola.
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