Boy killed, father injured in Mandera attack

A 14-year-old boy was killed, while his father, 70, was seriously injured during a morning raid in Banisa sub-County, Mandera County Friday, after month’s of lull.

The village in, Guba location, where the attack occurred is predominately inhabited by the Degodia, who have been engaged in tribal clashes with the Garre clan. The clashes that lasted the better part of last year claimed more 60 lives and displaced tens of thousands from their homes.

Mandera County Commissioner Alex Ole Nkoyo speaking to The Standard on Saturday on phone, said the assailants believed to be from the Garre community, raided the quite village on Friday morning and killed the minor after indiscriminately shooting at villagers who were still asleep.

Ole Nkoyo said a team of security personnel had been deployed to the area from Banisa and Takaba sub-counties to pursue the criminals.

According to a reliable source, the attack was triggered by a dispute between members of the two clans over the ownership of Abagire village.

The Garre community, which claims ownership of the village reportedly went to the area on Thursday morning to reestablish settlement, a move that angered the Degodia clan.

Security moved in quickly and dispersed the two communities from the disputed piece of land, which has sparked conflict in the past. They directed that no one should settle on the land and other disputed places until the Ole Kaparo mediation team recommendation is released.

Mr Ole Nkoyo urged the two communities to maintain peace experienced in the county since the clans signed a comprehensive peace agreement last year.

“I urge the communities in Mandera to refrain from inter-clan conflict, which will make them suffer and retard development. People should learn from the progress made since the conflict ended, after the clans agreed to give peace a chance”, he said.