Leaders want killer herders kicked out

Senator Fatuma Dulo

Isiolo County leaders have demanded the eviction of herders from North Eastern, saying they were behind the recent wave of killings in the area. 

Isiolo North MP Hassan Hulufo, Woman Rep Rehema Jaldesa and Senator Fatuma Dulo said people from Isiolo living in the area bordering Garissa and Wajir counties, have been under 'sustained and frequent' attacks and it was time the State took action. 

Their demand follows the killing of seven people in separate incidents between Wednesday and Friday last week. The killings were blamed on rival sides from another county.

The leaders spoke on Saturday at different trading centres and grazing and water points in Merti sub-county while visiting families of those killed in recent attacks.

Separately, Isiolo governor Mohamed Kuti and county assembly Speaker Hussein Roba separately flew to Korbesa where they condoled with some families of those killed.

The governor criticised police for 'watching while local herders were attacked and killed.'

Roba said the differences among elected leaders had contributed to them not taking a joint stand on how to bring the situation to normalcy.

"We should be united and take a joint stand on insecurity in the county. The uncontrolled migration of herders from North-Eastern is a national security issue as some of these attackers are using weapons like grenades and mortars against their targets," Roba said.

In last Friday's attack, gunmen on motorbikes attacked Urura village at dawn killing four people and injuring one.

The dead included a Form One student and an 82-year-old man.