Herders in gun battle with farmers over water, pasture

BY JOHN MAJAU

A herder died while five others sustained injuries after a fierce battle over control of watering points and pasture at Kambera swamp in Tigania East District.

OCPD Charles Kosgei said the battle took place at 2.30pm at River Rwonda swamp, with two neighbouring communities demanding to be in charge of the watering point.

More than 15 cows were killed while more than 75 acres of farmland were destroyed when herders burnt farms located along the Garbatulla-Isiolo highway in protest. Residents claimed two children have gone missing following the Monday morning incident after herders drove their animals into tomato and onion farms.

“The man’s body was taken to Isiolo Hospital mortuary while the injured are admitted at the same hospital,” said the OCPD.

The herders had warned the farmers to relocate to Isiolo because they were preventing them from accessing  water. Leaders have held a peace meeting to resolve the conflict.

“I am urging them to embrace peace because you can not resolve differences through the gun,” said Kosgei.