By Antynet Ford
Atleast six more people have been killed, dozens of others are in hospital while several houses have been burnt down in the interclan fights in Matagala, Tana River County.
This raises the death toll to 18 following recent attacks.
This is despite the deployment of the military to join multi-agency teams in patrols in the area.
The fighting between communities began nearly a week ago in the Anole area before spreading to other villages, including Nanighi.
Hundreds of residents from these villages have fled their homes for safety and refuge.
It is believed that the conflict started after land was offered to resettle flood victims living along the banks of the Tana River.
The flood victims were moved to an area along the Garissa-Hola road, a move that angered the area’s native pastoralist community, which claimed the area was their grazing land and watering points.
Top Coast security officials visited and camped in the area in the past week as part of efforts to contain retaliatory attacks.
The Wednesday, October 9 killings occurred just hours after the security team had visited the area and assured residents of their safety.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had assured the residents that the Kenya Defence Forces had been brought in to provide security.
Kanja said the team has stabilized tension, which has been high in the area in the past few days. He said the first fatal shooting happened on October 4 in Anole and affected five people while two others were injured.
“Consequently, we have scaled up security operations in the area, with reinforcement teams from NPS and KDF, while the DCI has launched investigations to pursue the perpetrators of this heinous act.” He said.
“Whereas the National Police Service in collaboration with other security agencies remain on high alert and are closely monitoring the situation in the Tana River County and other parts of the country, we wish to call upon all members of the public to partner with the Police, by reporting any criminal activities or suspects.” He added.
The skirmishes that have escalated to several villages started last week have seen the warring communities use firearms, bows, and arrows with security officers struggling to contain them.
The pastoralists, who traditionally lived with their animals, had to reject plans to resettle farmers in the area by the county government, terming the move as a planned grabbing of their land.
The pastoralists claim ownership of land designed for resettlement by the river to the farmers displaced by the floods after River Tana burst its banks during the recent long rains. Residents are now demanding the arrest of individuals in possession of illegal firearms.
They also accused some politicians of being behind the killings by secretly inciting some communities against each other. Last month, at least three people were shot dead by unknown assailants in an IDP camp in the area.
The fighting occurred one week after five political leaders from Tana River County were summoned to appear before the National Unity and Cooperation Commission on Tuesday this week regarding procedures related to the fighting between communities in the county.