Nairobi: Quick response by security agencies following a flare-up between two ethnic groups in North Horr constituency in Marsabit County has managed to calm the situation and stolen livestock has been recovered. Consequently, all the 217 families in Dukana and Saru areas who moved out of their homes for safety purposes have also gone back to their homesteads through the assistance of the government and partners.
According to Kenya News Agency, Marsabit County Commissioner James Kamau, who led peace and reconciliation meetings in the affected areas, stated that a security operation started soon after the incident and has managed to recover all the 1,140 goats and sheep that were reported missing following the clash. Mr. Kamau mentioned that the livestock has since been returned to their owners while the multi-agency security personnel deployed to the area will sustain patrols to completely pacify the area.
The county commissioner added that 20 suspects have so far been identified in Dukana sub-county with three prime ones arrested and arraigned in court. "Nine other suspects arrested are out on police bond and are assisting the police with investigations," he said, adding that more suspects were at large and were being pursued by the DCI.
Humanitarian aid has also been availed to the victims to enable them to resettle in their homes with ease. The county commissioner noted that the national government has delivered relief supplies consisting of 330 bags of rice and 285 bags of beans, while the county government donated 100 bags of rice and 20 cartons of cooking oil. The Kenya Red Cross Society distributed tarpaulin units, sleeping mats, kitchenware, and blended foodstuffs to those affected.
The National Assembly's committee on administration and security vice-chairperson, who is also the MP for Saku, Colonel (Rtd) Diso Raso, commended the law enforcement agencies in Marsabit for their speedy response, which helped stem the conflict from escalating. The MP called on the government to be vigilant and firm on war mongers, whom he said could rescind gains made in restoring peace in the county. The skirmishes claimed four lives and left a woman with a seven-month-old pregnancy nursing gunshot wounds.