Have you ever imagined living in a region prone to clashes and everyone is armed? well, this is the looming situation in the North Eastern parts of Kenya.
For quite some time now, locals from Garissa and Isiolo counties have been fighting following clashes along the boarder that have seen hundreds die. But what could be the cause of the clashes? North Eastern region residents are normally pastoralists. Could livestock be the cause?
Garissa leaders have now asked the state to end the clashes.
Governor Ali Korane, Lagdera MP Mohamed Hire and MCA Mohamed Siyat said it was unfortunate that the government continues to do little as innocent residents are killed.
Yesterday, two people were shot dead by suspected bandits. Reports say herders from Lagdera who were grazing livestock near Kambi Samaki were attacked by bandits near the border with Isiolo.
A gunfight ensued, resulting in the death of two victims. Another man was attacked and seriously injured at Modogashe town in what was believed to be a retaliation attack.
Two people also sustained injuries during a botched cattle raid at Mata Bofu.
One person is also still admitted at the Garissa County Referral Hospital with serious bullet injuries.
Tension remained high in Modogashe and the neighbouring settlements following the killings.
“These senseless killings need to be stopped immediately. The earlier a meeting is convened between communities leaders to bring peace the better,” Korane said.
Siyat said the government should allow their people to arm themselves if it can’t protect them.
“We want to say enough is enough. We wont just sit down and watch as our people are killed every day,” Siyat said.
Mohamed accused Isiolo South MP Abdi Koropu of inciting residents. ”How do you explain a situation where a local political leader is captured on camera inciting his constituents and no action has been taken against him,” the MP said.
But are you in support that the locals should be allowed to arm themselves? Couldn’t this result into more clashes?