Tana River, Kilifi leaders quell land conflict

Leaders in Tana River and Kilifi Counties have moved to quell the conflict that erupted when two communities clashed over grazing and farming fields in Tana River County leaving 2 dead, several injured and houses torched.

The violence that has been ongoing for five days now have seen several families displaced from Hurara, Msurujani, Miti Charaka and Katsangani  villages in Tana Delta Sub –County.

Over 1200 people are now being sheltered at a camp set at Kanagoni Priamary School in Magarini Kilifi County.

The violence started when a pastoralist community allegedly invaded farms belonging to a farming community and started feeding their animals on the crops.

Residents say they do not want to go back to their homes until security is beefed up.

The leaders are now urging the community that fled to go back to their farms and maintain peace as they find a lasting solution.

Tana River Governor Hussein Dado said those who started the violence will be apprehended and prosecuted regardless of the communities they come from.

Zoning of the lands is one resolve the two governors have agreed on.

Pastoralists will be put on one side and farmers on the other and trespassers will now be held as criminals and actions taken against them.

“The big problem is land the Wardei and Orma are pastrolists while the Pokomo and Gryama are farmers, the strategy is to zone the land based on the activities and no one will be allowed to cross and disturb the other” Said Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.