Man shot dead, another seriously wounded in Pokot-Turkana border conflicts

 Turkana, Kenya: One person has been confirmed dead and another seriously wounded in fresh gun fights within Turkwel area along the border of West Pokot and Turkana Counties.

Assistant County Commissioner in charge of special duties in Turkwel, Charles Kitumwa confirmed the attacks and said they were carried out in different villages within the volatile border region.

He revealed the 40-year-old man who was presumably searching for gold at Chepaoon village, was accosted by the attackers Sunday morning in Sarmach area of Pokot Central Sub County, where he was shot at close range.

"Three armed men, suspected to be Turkana warriors, shot dead the 40-year-old man and escaped immediately after committing the heinous act," he disclosed.

Kitumwa further revealed that the other wounded victim, a middle aged man, met his fate later in the evening when he was shot in the stomach by unknown attackers in an incident where he sustained critical wounds.

The attackers escaped soon after the shooting.

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The assistant county commissioner further revealed the victim, Lopeyo Longepus , who is in his early 30s hails from Turkana but lives in Kamuria village in West Pokot County.

He said security officers arrived at the scene of the incidence soon after and rushed the victim to Turkwel health centre where he received first aid before being transferred to the Kapenguria district hospital.

Lorogon village which lies along the border of the two counties and dominantly inhabited by Turkana communities has been at the centre of jurisdiction disputes with perennial conflicts between Turkana and Pokot communities over resources.

Kitumwa disclosed that tension was still rife in the area following the attacks that he added had left residents in fear.

He however said the security personnel were working to ensure the situation returns to normal as they pursue the assailants.