Three more die, two injured in fresh attacks

By Lucas Ng’asike

Three herdsmen were shot dead and two seriously wounded in Lorogon Village, Turkana South District, in renewed clashes between Turkana and Pokot communities.

The herders were gunned down when suspected Pokot bandits found the herdsmen grazing near Turkwel power plant and opened fire at them.

Turkana South OCPD Johnbosco Muutu confirmed the incident saying three Turkana herdsmen were shot dead and two others seriously wounded in the fresh wave of violence.

The OCPD said among the dead includes a four-year-old herdsboy who succumbed to bullet injuries after a fierce exchange of fire between the herders and Pokot bandits.

Mr Muutu said the injured were rushed to Eldoret Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.

Pursue attackers

The OCPD said the raiders also managed to escape with more than 300 goats after they overpowered the herdsmen.

He said security personnel have been mobilised to pursue the attackers to recover the stolen animals.

Turkana South MP Josphat Nanok condemned the attack and accused security personnel in the area of laxity in recovering the stolen animals.

“We have lost lives and animals to Pokot raiders due to the laxity of the security machineries to promptly respond to the attack,” Nanok said.

Area Civic leader John Aule attributed the renewed conflicts to a border dispute between the two communities.

Councillor Aule claimed that members of the Pokot community have been claiming ownership of Lorogon area, which is inhabited by the Turkana herders.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) has extended its operation in Turkana County to flush out bandits who killed 42 security officers at Baragoi in Samburu County.

Military planes and choppers carrying KDF officers have landed in Lodwar town and other parts of the county to rid the area of illegal firearms.

The presence of military personnel in the area has caused panic among residents.