Following the recent death of eight people in ongoing clashes in Tana River County, another six lives have been lost as tensions between local communities persist. The fighting, which began nearly a week ago in the Anole area, has since spread to other villages, including Nanighi.
Hundreds of residents have fled their homes, seeking safety and refuge, with many nursing injuries and some fighting for their lives in hospitals.
“I was born here; the events we are witnessing are not ordinary,” Abdi Mogow, a local resident, told Citizen TV.
Some of the injured claim that five people were killed last Friday, while four others were injured and hospitalized. Many residents are blaming the violence on political motivations.
“These conflicts are politically motivated; the problem is that the security apparatus has failed,” another local resident said.
It is believed the violence stemmed from the Tana River County government’s decision to offer land to resettle flood victims who had previously lived along the Tana River banks. The flood victims were relocated to an area along the Garissa-Hola road, angering the native pastoralist community, who claimed the land was theirs, used for grazing and watering points.
“We have ensured that security will return to normal,” said Coast Regional Commander Roda Onyanja.
The latest killings occurred just hours after a security team had visited the area and assured residents of their safety. The Inspector General of Police had also previously assured the community that the Kenya Defence Forces had been deployed to maintain security.
“Help us identify people with guns; these guns are being used to kill people,” said George Seda, the Deputy Director of Operations at the National Police Service (NPS).
The clashes come one week after five political leaders from Tana River County were summoned to appear before the National Unity and Cooperation Commission on October 8 to discuss the situation surrounding the ongoing conflict.
Residents are now calling on security forces to take swift action and guarantee their safety.
