This archive report was first published on 19 December 2021.
On Saturday morning, a wave of violence swept through Marsabit County, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The national government has since deployed more police officers to restore calm in the area.
According to National Police Spokesperson Bruno Shiosho, the attackers who drove off with hundreds of animals in the two incidents left 12 people dead. The security agencies responded swiftly, pursuing the attackers and recovering all the stolen animals.
The first attack occurred in the Jaldesa area, where armed attackers raided a manyatta at around 5:00 am, making off with about 1000 head of cattle and 300 goats and sheep. Eight people were killed and three injured in the incident.
In the second attack, another group of bandits targeted a village in Kubi Qallo, stealing about 800 heads of cattle and 1,500 goats and sheep. Four people lost their lives in the shootout, but police were able to recover the stolen animals with the help of locals.
Among those killed was a local politician who was eyeing an MCA seat at Jaldesa/Sagante ward in next year's general election. The police officers injured in the incident are in stable condition.
Scramble for land in the mountainous Saku Constituency has been identified as a major cause of the conflict in the volatile counties. The Borana, Gabra, and Rendille communities all want to occupy Saku, due to its arable land.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has issued a warning, stating that the government will move swiftly to act upon the perpetrators. The deaths have jolted the community, but the government is working to restore calm and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
