Insecurity in northwest Kenya

Following is a brief chronology of the main security incidents reported in northwest Kenya since the start of the year: 24 January - Pokot raiders attacked Juluk in Turkana south, several people killed but the exact number could not be verified 19 February - Pokot raiders raided 20-30 households in Nakujit in Kainuk south Turkana and killed six people and stole 4,000 cattle 20 February - combined force of Tepes, Pokots and Karamajongs raided 13 households in Kokulokit in Lokiriama division, west Turkana in which they killed three people and took some 1,200 cattle 23 February - Merille tribe from Ethiopia attacked Kukuro area and killed 35 Turkanas. More than 100 Merille also believed to have been killed 4 March - Pokots attacked Lokwamosing, one person killed 11 March - Pokots raided Kainuk, casualty figures unknown 18 March - Pokots repeated raid in Kainuk, one person killed. Later same day, they attacked a police residence in Kainuk, killing one policeman 20 March - police intercepted some six raiders as they attempted to cross the river to Kainuk town 7 April - two community volunteers attached to the World Vision programme in Tot Division of Marakwet district in northwestern Kenya were shot dead by bandits. The incident came barely a few days after the organisation's watchman was shot and seriously wounded by unknown people. 10 April - Kenya temporarily closed its border with Ethiopia following a week of violence in the northern border town of Moyale. District Commissioner Stephen Kipkebut said the closure was a "temporary measure" to prevent the Garreh community in Ethiopia from joining their kinsmen in Kenya, who are fighting Ajuran clansmen, supported by Borana. Sources said one person was killed and seven others seriously injured following the skirmishes between the two clans and government soldiers. The Chief of General Staff, Daudi Tonje, said a military force had also been deployed in Mandera, Moyale and Wajir districts in northern Kenya where ethnic animosity is on the rise.