Corss-border attacks between the Marakwet and Pokot are worrying and may degenerate into an ethnic war, Red Cross has warned.
The humanitarian body said on Sunday that about 116 houses were torched on the West Pokot-Elgeyo Marakwet border after a raid on Friday morning.
Four people sustained gunshot injuries during the 5am incident and authorities reported that 2,500 people from both sides were displaced.
Michael Ayiebei, Red Cross North Rift coordinator,
said the houses were razed by youths who were pursuing livestock stolen in Kamelei and Kipsitona villages.
“The youths decided to burn down houses after they failed to recover the stolen animals,” Ayiebei said.
The coordinator said the society dispatched a team to ascertain the exact number of dwellings destroyed.
“There are serious displacements on the border and this is worrying us. Women, children and elderly persons are sleeping in the cold."
Women and children flee Kamelei area on the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties following clashes on February 2, 2018. /Stephen Rutto
The society
provided tents, blankets and mosquito nets for the people who were displaced displaced during the attack.
“I worry about retaliation because the communities are trading accusations. Political leaders should do everything to ensure peace is restored,” he said.
Former IG David Kimaiyo said two of his relatives were injured during the raid.
Kimaiyo urged Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to act swiftly to end runaway insecurity on the border.
“The situation on the border is not good. Many people are dying and others turn to begging after losing their livestock. As we speak, two of my relatives are nursing gunshot wounds. Seven people in Marakwet East alone have died in January."
The former IG further told Matiang’i to generate a bill that will introduce harsh punishments for cattle rustlers.
On Friday, Elgeyo Marakwet leaders led by governor Alex Tolgos and Senator Kipchumba Murkomen lashed out at security agencies for failing to arrest known bandits.
“There is one notorious cattle rustler who is known by everyone, including president Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy president William Ruto. How can you fail to arrest such a criminal?” Tolgos said.
Murkomen described police officers deployed to the two counties as a letdown and called for the establishment an anti-stock theft unit along the border.