Ten people feared dead in Kwale tribal clashes

KWALE, KENYA: At least 10 people were killed on Wednesday in tribal clashes between two pastoralist communities in Kinango, Kwale County.

But Kwale County Commissioner said that the number of those killed is four contradicting locals who insist that eight Somali headsmen and two Maasai have been killed since the conflict broke out on Tuesday, this week.

Both communities claim grazing rights of Kuranze ranch. On Thursday, police was deployed as local politicians called for disarmament.

"Ten people have been killed, eight are from the Somali community and two are from the Maasai community. The war broke out on Wednesday and that is when eight were killed in a revenge mission," said one of the Maasai elders, Mr Laibulu Kulei who visited our Mombasa office.

Kwale County Commissioner, Evans Achoki refused to divulge more information about the raging conflict but insisted that only four people had been killed contradicting the locals accounts.

"It is four and not ten people who have been killed after the communities attacked each other but police have been deployed to investigate the matter," Achoki told the Standard on phone.

According to the area Member of County Assembly, James Dawa the fight broke out after over 30 Maasai youths raided Kuranze to confront 16 Somali herdsmen who were grazing in the area.

Related Topics

tribal clashes