One killed in fresh Samburu clashes

One person died and another was seriously injured on Tuesday night following a two-hour gunfight between two warring communities in Marti Village, Samburu County.

The incident comes just a week after a peace meeting was held by local leaders at Baragoi following skirmishes that led to the death of one man and loss of over 150 heads of cattle belonging to three families.

Area residents expressed their frustration at the security team, which they claim is ineffective, as they have been suffering weekly attacks.

Speaking after the Tuesday incident, Samburu County Commissioner Mohammed Balik issued stern warning to raiders that the government would deal with them harshly to ensure peace in the region.

On his part, Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulal called on the two communities to uphold peace, noting that Marti is one of the most peaceful villages in the area where members of the Turkana and Samburu communities coexist well.

Lenolkulal further urged security officers to be alert and recover the stolen animals within three days.

The local leaders pleaded with the national government to step in and assist the county government in dealing with the cattle rustling menace.

In a similar incident, a herder was on Monday killed and over 30 heads of cattle stolen after cattle rustlers attacked Mitoene Village in Igembe North Sub-County.

The raid came just a few hours after a peace meeting that was held between Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and elders from Meru and Isiolo counties to tackle cases of insecurity, which have been on the rise in the area.

Nkaissery had warned residents that the government would respond with firm action to see to it that peace is restored.