By Cyrus Ombati
Moyale, Kenya: More paramilitary police were deployed in Moyale Town Wednesday following fresh inter-clan clashes that left unknown number of people dead, injured and others displaced.
Several houses were torched in the village attacks that also brought business in Moyale Town to a standstill.
Police spokesperson Gatiria Mboroki said they could not confirm claims by Marsabit Governor Ukur Yattani that up to 20 people had been killed.
“The reports we have are that there are houses that have been burnt and some people are injured and rushed to hospital but we will ascertain more on these,” she said.
But speaking on phone, the Governor told The Standard he had been informed up to 20 people had been killed in the attacks.
“We are even in a crisis meeting to try and solve this issue. There are about 20 people who have been killed in today’s attacks alone. Many others are injured and displaced and property destroyed,” he said.
He added shops were being looted and houses burnt.
“The entire area is on fire. The fighting is ongoing and we are unable to get right information on injuries as we are unable to venture outside until calm resumes,” Mr Yattani said.
He added the clashes had been ongoing for the better part of the day.
Mboroki said Wednesday’s attacks were between Burji and Borana.
Ms Mboroki added investigations have also been launched to track down and arrest the perpetrators that had by Sunday left six people dead.
“Police visibility has been enhanced with a view of deterring further attacks and tracking down the suspects but we urge the local leadership to also join in solving it,” she said.
So far investigations showed that attacks in Marsabit County initially pitted Borana against Gabbra communities living in the area.
But the attacks roped in the Burji clan, which clashed with Borana.
On Sunday, attacks happened in Funan-yatta area in Moyale, where two people were shot dead at around 9am.
Ms Mboroki said the motive of the shooting was not immediately established.
Two days earlier, three people were killed in an attack at Antutu manyatta in Marsabit.
“About 50 people armed with various types of weapons shot one Borana man. Two of the attackers believed to be from Gabra community were also killed,” Ms Mboroki said.
Another attack occurred at around at Dadachi Lokole area in Sololo.
The police report said: “Mr Kala Edin Hassan, was driving a lorry from Nairobi to Moyale. He was confronted by a group of Borana men. The attackers took ignition keys and threatened to kill him to avenge the death of their tribesmen who had been killed earlier in the day prompting him to flee into the bush. They stole goods he was ferrying and damaged the vehicle.”
Besides the General Service Unit, administration police and regular officers have also been deployed in the areas.
“We call upon local leadership to cooperate with the police in restoring normalcy by holding peace barazas,” Ms Mboroki said.
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