Two hospitalised after they were shot in renewed conflicts over pasture

By MICHAEL SAITOTI

Samburu and Turkana counties: Two people were shot and critically injured following renewed conflicts between the Samburu and Turkana herdsmen over pasture.

The attacks at Lekarua, ten kilometres from Baragoi town, came just days after armed bandits shot dead a herder at Munanda village within the same area.

In the latest incident, a fight between the two groups erupted on Sunday night and lasted till 5am yesterday morning. Police said the attack was as a result of grazing fields, where one community drove livestock to an area perceived to belong to the rival group. No animals were stolen. Mr Lengirau Leleruk, one the herders, said they were attacked by herdsmen from the neighbouring region at night.

Bullet in abdomen

“We were woken up by sounds of gunshots and we decided to respond,” he said adding that one of his colleagues sustained serious gunshot wounds and was undergoing treatment at Maralal District Hospital.

“He still has a bullet lodged in his abdomen,” said Leleruk.

The security situation in the region has deteriorated in the past few months and three days ago, armed rustlers stole 200 goats and disappeared into Suguta Valley.

Samburu deputy County Commissioner Mr Samuel Muchiri said 28 goats were recovered and handed over to their owners.