Assist people displaced by border clashes, MP tells govt

Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye has urged the National Government, Isiolo and Garissa County Governments and Non Governmental Organisations to move with speed and assist families displaced in recent boarder clashes pitting Boranas and Somalis.

Speaking to the media in Garissa Town, Shidiye said there was looming disaster as a result of the clashes that broke out one week ago and left six people from both sides dead, with tens fleeing their homes fearing reprisal attacks.

He said: “It is for this reason that we are calling on the ministry of special programs, the county government and NGOs to provide food and make shift shelters to the displaced families.”

“We are facing a mass exodus of people who have moved from their homesteads fearing reprisal attacks from each side,” added Shidiye.

The legislator further called on members from the two communities to have a ceasefire, and tone down on the retaliatory attacks, and instead give dialogue a chance.

A peace meeting that is slated for September 22 and aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problem will be held in Nanyuki Town, bringing together the local leadership and community members from both sides.

The recent clashes began at Eldera in Garbatula where a Somali herder was killed, leading to a retaliatory attack that resulted in the death of three members of the Borana Community with the most affected areas being Tana, Brambati, Makadakal and Belgish and Boji.

On Friday night a 24-year-old herder was accosted and killed by a group of armed militiamen at Biliqo Bulesa in Merti Sub County, Isiolo County as he took his livestock to the watering point.

Shidiye in whose constituency some of affected people hail from said that the number of those affected by the border clashes was growing by the day, adding that there was need to act quickly.