DROUGHT OF DEATH! 10 herders killed as communities clash over grazing land

At least 10 herders and 20 heads of cattle have been killed after fighting erupted in Kom area of Isiolo County with herders clashing over grazing land.

Six of the killed persons are believed to be from Isiolo while four are from Samburu.

Another one sustained serious gun wounds.

Isiolo County Police Commander, Charles Ontita, confirmed the incident saying a contingent of multi-agency police forces have been dispatch to quell the situation.

According to Isiolo County Deputy Commissioner, Julius Maiyo, trouble began when a group of herders from Samburu County invaded grazing grounds claimed by another community in Isiolo County.

Maiyo said that the government is yet to identify the actual number of fatalities to due communication problems with security officers on the ground.

It is suspected that a number of animal were stolen during the confrontations.

The killings come barely two days after the government deployed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers to the volatile Baringo area to deal with the rising cases of banditry attacks.

Banditry and retaliatory attacks have been on the rise in Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo counties especially during the dry season.

Written by Moses Ngugi