Isiolo County police commander Charles Ontita on Monday
confirmed that a gun battle between two pastoralist communities competing for
grazing killed no fewer than 10 people in northern Kenya on Sunday morning.
Mr. Ontita said that armed cattle herders from Isiolo and
Samburu counties fought over grazing access along the two county borders,
“Ten bodies have been recovered from the scene. Scores of
people sustained gunshots wounds,” Mr. Ontita said during a press briefing at
his office.
He said that Sunday’s violence took place further to the
east, at Kom, 100 kms (62 miles) northeast from the town of Isiolo.
Mr. Ontita said extra police and paramilitary forces had
been sent to Kom.
Northern Kenya is suffering a severe drought, which has
worsened competition for grazing and water holes.
Some residents say local politicians are fuelling the
violence in an effort to win votes from particular ethnic blocs in national
elections scheduled for August.
On Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced he was sending
troops to the northern regions of Laikipia and Baringo.
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