By DAVID OCHAMI
Four people are feared dead and several others seriously injured after ethnic violence broke out between Pokomo and Orma communities in Tana Delta District of Coast Province.
Gunmen set villages ablaze and shot victims dead and injured others.
Witnesses told The Standard on the telephone that “hundreds of people have fled into the bushes fearing an escalation and there are no police in sight.”
Unconfirmed reports indicate the violence began last week when an Orma herdsman was slashed to death at Thara and yesterday’s attack is believed to be a revenge.
Yesterday, an entire village at Kau was set ablaze causing massive displacement.
The conflict has been joined by pastoralists from Ijara District in North Eastern Province who fight with the Pokomo over the boundaries of Coast and North Eastern provinces.
According to hospital and police sources, at least four people have been killed and two bodies were recovered in Kilelengwani, Kipini Division.
But Coast PPO Agrey Adoli announced that only two people were shot dead in yesterday’s violence.
longstanding disputes
“Unfortunately two people were shot dead,” Adoli said but added that “six people were also injured in the violence and we have deployed security to the area led by the local DC David Kiprop who is addressing a baraza.”
The PPO admitted Kau village was razed down but downplayed it as a mere “manyatta”.
He also said the conflict was between Orma pastoralists and Pokomo farmers but did not divulge details.
Pokomo and Orma communities have had longstanding disputes over politics and resources in Tana River County. The worst conflict occurred between 2001 and 2002 when more than 100 farmers and pastoralists were killed in gun battles across the county.
