Nine killed in fresh violence in Moyale

By Liban Golicha

Moyale, Kenya: At least nine people are feared dead in Moyale as clashes between two communities intensified.

Militia attacked Kate village, some 50km from Moyale town, Thursday morning. Among those killed were two pupils who were said to have been shot as police clashed with the militia. Seven attackers were also killed. After about half an hour of intense fighting, the fights moved from the village into the bush.

A source said seven attackers’ bodies were lying in a bush near Kate village and residents were in the process of finding missing persons and recovering their livestock.

Area chief Jilo Boru said the militia targeted Kate in their attack. The village has a population of approximately 500 people, according to the chief.

He confirmed that during the attack, one civilian was injured and several livestock fled into the bush.

Boru confirmed the seven militia bodies had not been identified.

Armed militiamen

He noted the fighting had gone deeper into the bush by mid-morning and feared the number of casualties would rise. He appealed to security personnel to assists locals in recovering the lost animals. But residents claimed security personnel targeted civilians instead of flushing out the armed militiamen.

“Police attacked the entire village on arriving,” said a resident identified as Godana.

Moyale OCS Richard Ng’eno, who led the officers, said police were pursuing the attackers.

The fighting in Moyale has been over distribution of political seats, with the Boranas, who are the majority, claiming they had been locked out.

Last year, more than a dozen people were killed and several displaced in clashes between communities living in the county, and Moyale region in particular.