Kenya: Clashes Leave Nine Dead, Several Injured

5 June 2009

Isiolo — At least nine people have been reported dead and several injured following a livestock raid and clashes between communities along the northern Isiolo-Samburu district border. Tension remains high in the area, with ongoing fighting, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).

"The dead include three police officers, five civilians and a police reservist," Nelly Muluka, KRCS public relations and communications officer, told IRIN. "Eleven policemen who suffered soft tissue injuries and eight others with bullet wounds were admitted to the Isiolo District Hospital."

The deaths occurred on 2 June after police officers, who had intervened following reports of a raid in Isiolo, allegedly by Turkana or Samburu raiders, were attacked. Some 815 head of cattle, 500 goats and 36 camels were reported stolen.

The deaths and loss of livestock triggered the clashes pitting the Borana and Somali communities against the Samburu and Turkana. Affected areas include Chasagafarfa, Daaba and Mulango along the outskirts of Isiolo town, said Muluka.

However, Isiolo District Commissioner, Kimani Waweru, told IRIN that five people had been killed, adding that cattle rustling and the current drought had sparked the clashes.

"We have deployed additional police officers and home guards... the raiders are also being pursued, I am confident they will be arrested and the stolen livestock recovered," said Waweru.

According to Muluka, the number of displaced remains unknown. She said KRCS was liaising with the Ministry of Health and the district commissioner and was providing vehicles to transport the injured.

Security fears

Meanwhile, transport services between Isiolo town and the affected areas has been disrupted, with operators along the neighbouring Marsabit and Moyale routes afraid of being attacked.

Mukhtar Sheikh, a resident of one of the affected areas, told IRIN in Isiolo Town that some families were camping in the open at the local Sharp trading centre.

Heads of livestock have also been abandoned by fleeing owners, he said. "The situation is bad; I left my 46 goats and eight cattle that were too weak to move, I thank Allah I survived the attack," Sheikh said.

Drought-related conflicts have worsened in pastoral regions in the recent past with dozens of people dying. Shortages of food and water brought on by the impact of climate change could escalate existing conflicts and generate others, according to experts.

This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations

http://allafrica.com/stories/200906050670.html

Probably this is one of the first human conflicts caused or worsened by the climate change. The ethnic conflict between Turkana and Samburu people seems to have a long past. I don't know much about this. Maybe anyone of you has some further information about this?

Actually I planned to visit the area next month. Maybe anyone of you has some further information or travel advice bout the current situation.

Tobi - the current situation is rather intense, and very political - mostly targeting the Samburu people, who have suffered greatly for the past few months... and with the involvement of some high political figures. I have heard that all is peaceful inside the reserve, however.

A woman I know who lives and works with the Samburu, in proximity to the conflict, should return there, within the next couple of weeks. I will forward you any pertinent information that I hear from her, especially pertainng to safety, likely by PM contact.

... the cattle issue in the Tsavos is closely linked to the raids.

Thank you very much, TsavoCheetah!!! Any information would be highly appreciated!

But isn't it true that this conflict between the different ethnic groups, especially between the Samburu and Turkana people has a long history!? I tried to google but couldn't find any meaningful information...

Author: concerned advocate Sat Jun 6 12:02:31 2009

Once again, the reports of conflict misrepresent the facts and omits key information, giving only a Somali-Boran perspective. Your article ONLY quotes Somali witnesses. The director of the Red Cross in Isiolo is Somali as is the Isolio MP and Isiolo District Commissioner.

As a witness to this conflict, it was yet once again the Somali-Borana who initiated this conflict and stole what little remains of the Samburu-Turkana livestock. The Somali-Borana with use of the Kenyayn police, whose minister is Somali, wrongly stole over 5000 livestock in February in a drought compounded by a food shortage, placing the Samburu and Turkana tribe in a severe famine. Had their not been a court order for the Kenyan police to cease fire on innocent Samburu people, even more livestock would have been lost. That they defended themselves from even further assault should not be surprising.

This report is giving opportunity to what some feel has the potential of becoming an ethnic cleansing effort by Somali on the Samburu people for purposes other than livestock. The UN should not support such actions.

There have been ongoing internal independed investigations by the Kenya Human Rights Commission, US Embassy, the Catholic Peace and Human Rights Commission, and Cultural Survival that give a much different and appalling view of these clashes.

This is a very biased artcle.

Hm... Thanks again, Tsavocheetah!!!