BY LIBAN GOLICHA

MOYALE COUNTY: About 10 heavily armed raiders attacked Gimbe village, some 15km from Moyale on Monday night.

The raiders attacked residents using highly sophisticated weapons but no one was hurt during the incident.

Moyale deputy County Commissioner Mr Kamunyan Chedotum said the 10 raided the village, which has a population of about 300 people.

He confirmed no one was hurt but said the raiders used highly sophisticated weapons during the Monday, 8.30pm attack.

“Machine guns, bazookas, AK47 and FN rifles were used in the raid,” Chedotum said.

The administrator said police have also recovered 500 cartridges from the scene and further confirmed that two children who went missing have since been found.

Responding to the attack, Mr Chedotum immediately called for a crisis meeting between local leaders and area chiefs to discuss the way forward.

Elders from the community attended the meeting and condemned the attack.

The commissioner, who has been chairing numerous peace meetings in the area, warned elders’ that next option would be army operation.

He urged the elders to unite their communities and solve the disputes amicably failure to which, the Government would take stern action among the residents.

“Remember Mt. Elgon operation, we don’t want such things to happen here. Please solve this problem before we take over,” he warned.

He said the government has to protect lives and properties of its citizen and therefore, pledged maximum protection. The elders agreed to settle the conflict and urged the Government not to deploy the military to the region.

“We shall not leave any stone unturned and we urge the Government to create room for dialogue,” Mwalimu Sharu pledged.  The administrator later held public Baraza at Moyale stadium where he called on residents to shun tribal activities.

Elsewhere in Laisamis, police arrested a man with two pistols and 27 rounds of ammunition and a kilo of bhang in a lorry heading to Nairobi on Monday afternoon.

Speaking on phone, Marsabit police boss Erastus Muthamia said police recovered two pistols along side 27 rounds of ammunition and a kilo of bhang in a lorry.

He said a 42-year-old man was found in possession of the firearms while a lorry turn boy was in possession of the bhang. Muthamia said the two suspects will arraign in court.