Tension high after man killed in clashes

Tension is still high in Lagdera sub-county following the weekend killing of another herder. [Photo, Courtesy]

Tension is still high in Lagdera sub-county following the weekend killing of another herder, as skirmishes between Isiolo and Garissa persisted.

The incident, according to a Lagdera administrator, occurred in Bilgicha, a few kilometers from Modogashe town.

The latest killing comes two days after two teenage herders were killed and one injured in El Digale on the border between Isiolo and Garissa.

Houses were torched on Sunday in Modogashe town. Locals later took to the streets demanding answers on the unending chaos.

They asked the Government to pursue the killers and bring them to book, saying perpetual killings might degenerate to full-blown conflict between residents of the two counties.

The Standard learnt there was confrontation in Modogashe, as one group stopped another from accessing a water point, prompting intervention of Lagdera’s Deputy County Commissioner Philip Koima and his security team.

Mr Koima said they took spent cartridges for ballistic examination, warning that anyone found culpable would be dealt with according to the law. “It is sad that these people kill each other while they have been living together as neighbours. We also want to confirm whether these recent incidents are related to conflicts over resources because of the prevailing drought situation,” said the administrator.

“We are engaging elders from both sides and local leaders to ensure peace prevails, we are committed to protecting everyone. We are appealing to both communities to give reconciliation a chance,” he added.

Lagdera MP Mohamed Hire blamed the Interior ministry for allegedly failing to contain wanton killings that had been blamed on boundaries and resources, worsened by ravaging drought. “We cannot accept killings, the Government has responsibility to protect people and their property,” the MP said.