Tension as eight are killed in Isiolo clashes

Written By:KNA,    Posted: Sat, Dec 31, 2011

Fear has gripped Isiolo town following the killing of eight people camping at a catholic church by armed raiders on Friday night. The eight from Turkana community were killed in what is believed to be revenge attacks by a neighboring community following the killing of a herdsman at Burat area early this week.   Isiolo OCPD Augustine Nthumbi confirmed the deaths saying raiders attacked the hundreds of residents who were camping at Kambi kuu catholic church  after they were displaced by an earlier attack. Among the dead were a Catholic Catechist and a bank worker. He assured security has been beefed up in all the hot spots in anticipation of further revenge attacks. He said the government would not spare any politicians or administrators suspected to incite communities to violence. The district security intelligence committee was holed up in crisis meetings for the better part of Saturday morning to strategize how to counter the rising insecurity in the area. Meanwhile,  residents including business community, religious leaders and workers condemned the killings . They  are calling on the government to beef up security before the situation gets out of hand.  Isiolo Catholic Bishop Anthony Ireri Mukobo, John Kathurima of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anglican Church of Kenya Arch Deacon Abraham Woche and government workers in the district called on  the government to disarm all the communities in the area. Hundreds of residents from Kambi juu and Kakili areas have fled their homes and are now camping at the Catholic Mission's main Church in town and at Kambi Juu AP camp without food and other essential items. The attacks came barely two days after the Eastern PC Clare Omollo and the Provincial Police Commissioner Marcus Ochola visited the displaced persons at Kambi Juu and LMD areas persuading them to return to their homes assuring them of security.