•Head of police Rono Bunei said a team had been sent to the scene to drive away animals in the area as part of efforts to find a solution.
•The area has had perennial troubles in the past few days. Residents usually fight over border disputes and pasture.
Image: THE STAR
At least five people have been killed by suspected bandits on the Meru-Isiolo border in new clashes over grazing fields.
The incident happened on Monday night and is believed to be a retaliation for the killing of 25 camels in the same area at the weekend.
Tigania East parliamentary aspirant Samuel Ntuara urged the government to tame outdated cultural practices that contribute to cattle rustling.
Ntuara said that police reservist should be given back their guns to curb the menace
He said cultural practices by neighbouring communities also make it hard to tame cattle rustling.
Police said no arrest had been made but investigations are ongoing.
Head of police Rono Bunei said a team had been sent to the scene to drive away animals in the area as part of efforts to find a solution.
“The animals are causing conflict,” he said.
Tension remained high in the area as more officers arrived.
More police were at the weekend sent to forestal likely retaliation after the 25 camels were slashed to death.
The incident happened between Gambela and Kandebene at the Isiolo-Meru border.
Residents said a group of more than 100 assailants ambushed a sleeping Manyatta at dawn, shot and cut the camels with pangas.
Police say they are yet to establish the motive of the Saturday incident amid calls to solve the persistent border dispute.
Bunei said the security officers are on the ground combing the area in pursuit of the attackers.
“We hope to get a solution to the menace and avoid such losses,” he said.
The carcases were later disposed of under security.
The area has had perennial troubles. Residents usually fight over border disputes and pasture.
Two weeks ago, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i told the National Assembly Committee on National Security that currently 25 per cent of national government security resources are committed to securing the area, Laikipia, Samburu and Baringo.
He said special units of security agencies had been deployed to the counties.
The CS said the situation is aggravated by politics of expansionism, drought, rough and vast terrain and proliferation of arms sneaked in through porous borders.
“Political instability and troubles in neighbouring countries further make it easy to access weapons. Perpetuation of retrogressive practices such as cattle rustling and moranism worsening the conflict,” he said.
He said the government is also investing in infrastructures such as roads and water pans to open up the region and encourage more settlements.
“Investments in education, agriculture, health and social amenities are being upscaled as a long term solution,” the CS said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris