Raging Moyale clan fights leave 10 dead

Thursday, December 05, 2013

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At least 10 people have been killed and five others injured in an inter-clan battle in the volatile border town of Moyale.

They were killed in a gun battle that lasted nine hours between the Gabra and Burji on one side and the Borana on the other in Odha and Holale villages, according to authorities.

Marsabit County Commissioner, Isaiah Nakoru, told The Standard Wednesday on phone that his team on the ground had reported the deaths and injuries.

However, there was fear the death toll could be as high as 15. No bodies had been recovered from the scene of the battle. Unconfirmed reports indicated a chief was also wounded under unclear circumstances.

Mr Nakoru said Odha, a predominantly Borana village, was attacked at around 7 am and the battle spread to the neighbouring Holale, towards Moyale town. Locals said homeguards and militiamen joined the fight in both locations. The fighting was still raging by 4pm yesterday.

‘‘The security personnel are nearby but are yet to directly intervene. Both sides have reinforcements and the battle is still going on,’’ said an NGO official who requested anonymity. Those killed are believed to be mostly combatants.

However, those injured are a Kenya Police reservist and four civilians. Nakoru said three of the injured civilians were attacked on Tuesday night by armed bandits while one was caught up in yesterday’s crossfire. Night ambush

‘‘A (Toyota) Land Cruiser was ambushed last night (Tuesday) by armed people and three people were injured,’’ said the administrator. Saku MP Ali Rasso said he had received a report that seven people had been killed in Odha village – six attackers and one villager.

Wednesday’s fighting followed two weeks of violence on the Marsabit- Moyale road at the Turbi-Walda and Makutano junction that led to the burning of four vehicles. More than 1,000 travellers were affected and the road leading to Marsabit town from Moyale remained blocked. A Chinese firm, China Wu Yi, was forced to suspend construction of the fourth phase of the Isiolo- Moyale road after its camp was attacked by rowdy youths from Turbi on Sunday and a vehicle was hijacked and burned.

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