Insecurity drives out 1,500 families, livestock from village in North Horr

Guyatu Dida, one of those displaced by the insecurity, inside her makeshift house at El Bor camp. [PHOTO: LIBAN GOLICHA/STANDARD]

By Liban Golicha

Marsabit, Kenya: About 1,500 families have fled a village in Marsabit due to insecurity. For eight months, residents of Hurri Hill, popularly known as Badha Hurri, have never known peace. They claim they have often been taken hostage by raiders who restrict their movement and steal their property.

Situated in North Horr Constituency in Marsabit County, Badha Hurri has an estimated population of 4,000 people, mostly members of Gabra and Borana communities.

However, after the Moyale conflict spilled over to Chalbi region, the relationship between the two communities turned sour.

The communities, which in the past shared resources turned foes following the Moyale clashes.

There are reports that attacks and counter-attacks have taken place between members of the two communities, property vandalised and livestock stolen in the past eight months and that hundreds of residents have fled to Marsabit town and Magado in Ethiopia.

The residents accuse the Government and elected leaders in the county of failing to speak out on the matter. They also accuse security agencies of bias and laxity.

Since Tuesday, more than 1,500 families of Badha Hurri and Baqaqa left the area citing insecurity. They went to seek refuge in Marsabit town, Ele Bor in Sololo and Magado in Ethiopia.

A source claimed that in the last four days, mass exodus of both Gabra and Borana from Badha Hurri and it’s environ has been observed over rampant insecurity.

Marsabit County Commissioner Isaiah Nakoru confirmed the exodus but denied that residents were fleeing insecurity. He suggested that they were migrating in search of pasture.

Mr Nakoru, however, said that investigations had been launched following the allegations. “We believe this is normal pastoral migration. We are not aware of any security threats,” Nakoru said on phone.

The residents claim, they left their homes after armed men regrouped to attack Badha Hurri. They first camped at a nearby police station for 19 days before taking to diverse directions early Tuesday, they said.

When The Standard visited Ele bor, the displaced, mostly women and children were still being ferried to the camp by lorries.

At the camp, they complained of hunger, lack of shelter and water.

When The Standard visited the camp, a lorry left for Badha Hurri trip to bring more displaced people to the camp. Kenya Red Cross has already begun supplying non-food items to the displaced families.

Malicha Galma, 43, said they left their homes three weeks ago due to fear of attacks. He said they ran away when they received threats of possible attacks immediately after the two communities clashed in Ethiopia.

He claimed that armed men regrouped for attack a few days after the two communities clashed near Magado along Kenya-Ethiopia border last month.

Completely flattened

“We are minority in the region and after clashes between the two communities erupted in Moyale. We became target, our animals were stolen and properties destroyed,” Mr Galma said.

He said they camped at police station for 19 days before leaving for Ele Bor in Sololo. Galma who arrived at Ele Bor on Tuesday evening said 108 houses in his village were completely flattened.

He further alleged that several water sources had been poisoned.

“Huge destruction is ongoing. Our crops such as beans have been grazed over. Police only confirmed the incident instead of acting,” said Galma who claimed that the village had been held hostage several times by armed men.

The father of four said the fate of 57 families as they have been missing for three weeks.

“We fear 57 families have been held hostage by armed men,” Galma said. He confirmed that 1,900 livestock arrived at Ele Bor while 1,400 others were on the way.

Guyatu Dida, 35, said although the Kenya Red Cross distributed tents to them no further assistance had been provided to them.  She said that several children had contracted common cold and other diseases at the camp.

Kenya Red Cross has recorded 240 families were camping at Ele Bor and 15 others at Ele Dimtu in Sololo District. Moyale Red Cross branch coordinator Stephen Bonaya said the families fled their homes due to fear of attack.