Isiolo security dwindles following continued clashes

By ALI ABDI

Three motorcycle (bodaboda) operators were gunned down by bandits at a farm in Gambella, Tigania East as ensuing street protests spread to neighbouring Isiolo town.

In Isiolo town, street protests that started on Monday night and continued on Tuesday, left two people dead, houses torched, roads blocked and property of unknown amount destroyed.

The bodaboda operators were hired from neighbouring Isiolo town on Monday by tomato farmers but were attacked by armed bandits while loading the produce at 5pm.

Others, including a fourth motorcycle operator fled the scene. A witness who identified himself only as Mugambi said the attackers had identified the community they belong to.

Gambella, an arable area about 15km east of Isiolo town hosts communities from Isiolo who have been engaged in armed conflict since September 2011.

Mugambi said that the bandits asked those they were attacking to report to their community, adding that the attackers did not steal anything but used the bodaboda to escape.

Isiolo DC Samuel Mburu Tuesday confirmed the killings in Gambella but was quick to state the area where the attacks took place falls under Tigania East District in Meru County.

The Meru community from Isiolo demonstrated their anger by taking to the streets while carrying the three bodies of the bodaboda operators. They alleged that police from both Tigania East and Isiolo refused to bring the bodies from the scene of attack.

‘‘We made our own arrangement to bring the bodies last evening (Monday) after failing to get help from police,’’ said Mugambi.

At Kulamawe estate, the protesters attacked members of the community from whom the attackers allegedly belong beating them up and destroying their property.

A man from the accused community was gunned down at Kulamawe on Tuesday at around 3am under unclear circumstance while a second person was shot dead allegedly by police at 6am.

Isiolo OCPD Daniel Kamanza confirmed the two killings in Isiolo.

However, a resident, Peter Kinyua said the second man was shot dead by the police as they engaged in running battles with the protesters.

The locals had declined to surrender the bodies to police and blocked the Isiolo-Meru-Nairobi road for hours forcing motorists using the road to abandon their journeys.

‘‘My truck carrying cattle to Nairobi has been here for more than six hours. I fear making big losses as the animals might die,’’ said Mohammed Huka, a trader from Moyale.

The demonstrators marched through the streets of Isiolo town while police used teargas canisters to disperse them.

Kiwanjani ward councillor Selasio Kiambi called on the security teams to pursue the attackers and provide enough security for residents of both counties.

Business came to standstill in the busy town for hours as traders fearing looting shut their premises. Security teams from districts in Meru were deployed to help their counterparts from Isiolo.