This archive report was first published on 24 December 2021.
On December 24, 2021, a series of mysterious killings took place in Marsabit County, leaving 13 people dead and over 3800 heads of cattle stolen.
According to sources, the killings were part of a tribal conflict between the Borana and Gabra clans in Saku constituency, with the Gabra militiamen using state-issued guns bearing the K1 code.
Witnesses claim that the militiamen used password shutouts to coordinate their attacks, suggesting that they were brought in from outside the area, including Isiolo, Moyale, and the Degodia clan.
Investigations have revealed that some of the militiamen were promised Sh50,000 in cash for participating in the attacks, with more for their families if they were killed in battle.
The use of state-issued guns in the conflict has raised questions about how they ended up in the hands of militia members, who are using them to harm citizens.
Furthermore, the reluctance of the state machinery to protect its citizens has sparked concerns about possible government complicity in the conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, concerns are being raised about the potential for the conflict to spill over into neighboring Ethiopia, with potentially disastrous consequences.
