Fear after two killed in inter-ethnic fighting in Baragoi

SAMBURU COUNTY: Two Turkana herders were yesterday shot and killed during a deadly gunfire clash between Turkana and Samburu herders in Nachola area near Baragoi in Samburu County.

Two other Samburu herders were wounded during the five-hour fire exchange that has now heightened tension in the county.

Samburu County Commissioner Patrick Wambani, said police officers have been deployed to the now volatile stretch. “The clash broke at 10am and by 3pm, the situation had been brought under control. We later found two bodies at the scene. One of the wounded sustained injury in the thigh while another has bullet lodged in his leg,” he added.

Wambani asked the warring communities to co-exist peacefully, especially during the long dry season. Turkana and parts of Samburu County have not received rains since 2012.

“It is very dry here making animals traverse the vast region in constant pursuit of water points and available pasture,” said Wambani. Yesterday’s attack occurred at Nachola Ward. Nachola Ward representative Lawrence Lorunyei, asked the Government to deploy security officers to avert further clashes.

The incident comes a month after a peace pact brokered by leaders from both communities and overseen by elders.

“These people have defied the peace agreement and have returned to killing one another.The police have been forced to protect them like children. The fight for pasture and water is unending,” said Wambani.