Angry residents attack MPs as State deploys GSU to volatile villages

Angry mourners on Saturday attacked two Isiolo MPs who had come to condole with them at Kinna trading centre, following the death of two herders.

MPs Abdi Koropu (Isiolo South) and Hassan Oda (Isiolo North) had arrived in the same car at the trading centre.

Unfortunately for them, hundreds of armed locals were displeased with their presence and pelted them with stones.

The visit came after the death of the herders at Rapsu village in Kinna location on Friday, with locals pointing an accusing finger at their leaders for runaway insecurity.

In a meeting attended by Oda, MCAs led by area lawmaker and Majority Leader Isack Fayo and fomer Isiolo Assembly Speaker Mohammed Tubi after the incident, locals demanded that all herders from Garissa be evicted.

"We ask you to relay our message to the authorities in Nairobi to address this crucial matter with the urgency it deserves. Herders from Garissa are heavily armed and acting with impunity," said Mr Fayo.

Isiolo County Commissioner Herman Shambi yesterday said General Service Unit (GSU) personnel had been deployed to the affected areas.

"We are going to have a stakeholders’ peace meeting to address this matter with the urgency it needs," said the administrator.