Tension remains high as death toll in Isiolo-Meru border clashes rises to eight

NAIROBI: The death toll following Wednesday night’s deadly clash between Isiolo herders and Meru agro-pastoralists along the border of Isiolo South and Igembe North has risen to eight.

Two more people, one from each side of the border who sustained gunshot wounds on Wednesday night’s battle, succumbed to their injuries late Thursday night.

Tension remained high for the second day along the border. Friday, Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya said one of the two injured people from the Meru side died at Maua Methodist Hospital.

A herder from Kulamawe in Isiolo, also said to have been injured  in the fight, was also reported to have died, according to Isiolo South MP Abdullahi Banticha. Two of the dead from the Isiolo side were buried on Thursday afternoon in Kulamawe and the other in Isiolo town.

Mr Natembeya said security personnel comprising the regular, administration, General Service Unit and Anti-Stock Theft police are pursuing raiders from both sides in a bid to bring them to justice and recover stolen animals.

“We have a joint county security meeting at Kachuru (in Igembe North) today (Friday). Leaders from both Isiolo and Meru are expected there,’’ said the administrator.

Among the leaders who travelled to Kachuru are Meru Governor Peter Munya and a host of MPs from the county. Isiolo Woman Representative Tiyah Galgalo joined Mr Banticha in the meeting.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the death toll could be as high as 11 — eight from the Meru side and three from the Isiolo side.

On Thursday night, bandits from Tigania East raided a village in Gambella location that is claimed by both Isiolo and Meru counties and stole about 500 goats and sheep. Mr Natembeya has warned politicians against inciting their communities.