Tension as bandits kill five people in Meru -Isiolo border
Tension is high in Tulili in Meru -Isiolo border after five people were killed by suspected armed bandits on Monday night as grazing zone conflicts intensify.
According to sources, some locals have fled their homes in fear of a possible attack as police launch a manhunt for the suspects.
According to residents, the incident happened just a week after a police officer was killed at Matabithi, and others were left with serious wounds.
Four herders were also killed two weeks ago.
Authorities have confirmed that two middle-aged- men were shot dead after they were flushed out from their homestead at 8.00 pm on Monday while two others were killed as they were taking their livestock home from the grazing zone.
During the shoot-out, a woman is said to have been hit by a stray bullet when their probox vehicle was sprayed with bullets living others with gun wounds.
In what seems to be a revenge mission, herds of carmel's belonging to the neighbouring Isiolo communities were on Sunday attacked and killed and others inflicted serious panga cuts by a group of unknown people while grazing on Meru land.
"This a fight over pasture and border issues. Our neighbours bring their camels to graze on our pastures and sometimes food crops, but when we drove our livestock to their land is a big problem.
"Now we want the government to intervene urgently because these people are heavily armed and they come and kill us anytime they want. We are living in fear. Some families have even fled their homes," John Kailikia, a resident, said.
Speaking to People Daily Digital area MP Josphat Kabeabea (Tigania East) and his West counterpart John Mutuna condemned the incidents accusing the government of laxity and failure to resolve the perennial conflicts in the area.
"We are calling on Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi to urgently intervene and ensure these criminals are disarmed because we are tired of losing innocent people every day in the hands of bandits who are illegally armed,' Kabeabea said.
