Three killed as Kamba-Somali border conflict rages

Three people have died in the last two weeks in clashes at the border of Kitui and Tana River counties.

According to residents, the clashes began after a dispute over grazing and watering areas by the pastoralist communities living at the border of the two counties.

They are now calling on the national government to come to their aid as tension in the area continues to rise.

“We have had a problem with our Somali neighbours hacking people and driving them out of their homes,” said Monica Mueni, a resident.

“We are asking the government to come to our aid,” said Nelson Kitema, another resident.

The Tana River and Kitui Counties are currently facing a prolonged drought that has resulted in acute water shortage for the residents.

Since October this year residents have been forced to walk long distances in search of water.

Speaking at a waterspot where hundreds of residents gathered with water containers in search of the precious commodity in October, Tito, a Kitui resident, said they have been forced to walk for over 30 kilometers to get water.