NAIROBI— Tension is high in Kenya’s Mlango area, Burat ward of Isiolo County after three people were gunned down by armed raiders from the neighboring Samburu County, as clashes between herders from Isiolo and Samburu Counties over pasture and water intensify.
Among those killed in the Saturday morning attack is one Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) whose gun was also stolen, while the other two victims were herders.
Members of the Somali Community in Isiolo are now up in arms over what they termed as slow response by security officers.
Led by Osman Shariff Abukar, the Isiolo residents accused police officers of only turning up at the scene to collect bodies in the evening, despite the fact that the attack happened at 8 am and the security officers were informed accordingly.
Osman wondered why a helicopter was deployed during the locust invasion last year, yet the same could not be done to contain the long-running clashes.
The residents were speaking at Taqwa mosque where the three bodies spent the night ahead of burial later Sunday.
Osman cited poor network coverage in the area as a major challenge that also impacts response, and asked elected leaders to ensure that they liaise with network providers for connectivity as part of efforts to end the conflict.
The ongoing drought situation has triggered conflicts between the pastoral communities who strike in search of water and pasture.
Source: Nam News Network