Clashes leave nine dead, several injured

At least nine people have been reported dead and several injured following a livestock raid and clashes between communities along the northern Isiolo-Samburu district border. Tension remains high in the area, with ongoing fighting, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).



"The dead include three police officers, five civilians and a police reservist," Nelly Muluka, KRCS public relations and communications officer, told IRIN. "Eleven policemen who suffered soft tissue injuries and eight others with bullet wounds were admitted to the Isiolo District Hospital."



The deaths occurred on 2 June after police officers, who had intervened following reports of a raid in Isiolo, allegedly by Turkana or Samburu raiders, were attacked. Some 815 head of cattle, 500 goats and 36 camels were reported stolen.



The deaths and loss of livestock triggered the clashes pitting the Borana and Somali communities against the Samburu and Turkana. Affected areas include Chasagafarfa, Daaba and Mulango along the outskirts of Isiolo town, said Muluka.



However, Isiolo District Commissioner, Kimani Waweru, told IRIN that five people had been killed, adding that cattle rustling and the current drought had sparked the clashes.



"We have deployed additional police officers and home guards... the raiders are also being pursued, I am confident they will be arrested and the stolen livestock recovered," said Waweru.



According to Muluka, the number of displaced remains unknown. She said KRCS was liaising with the Ministry of Health and the district commissioner and was providing vehicles to transport the injured.



Security fears



Meanwhile, transport services between Isiolo town and the affected areas has been disrupted, with operators along the neighbouring Marsabit and Moyale routes afraid of being attacked.



Mukhtar Sheikh, a resident of one of the affected areas, told IRIN in Isiolo Town that some families were camping in the open at the local Sharp trading centre.



Heads of livestock have also been abandoned by fleeing owners, he said. "The situation is bad; I left my 46 goats and eight cattle that were too weak to move, I thank Allah I survived the attack," Sheikh said.



Drought-related conflicts have worsened in pastoral regions in the recent past with dozens of people dying. Shortages of food and water brought on by the impact of climate change could escalate existing conflicts and generate others, according to experts.



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