Tension remains high in Burat, Isiolo County, following a series of attacks and clashes between herders that have continued over the past 24 hours.
Turkana community leaders and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have accused the government of neglecting residents amid the escalating insecurity.
Speaking during a press briefing, the leaders blamed the government for what they described as a selective disarmament exercise targeting one community, arguing that the move had left residents vulnerable to attacks from neighbouring communities in Samburu County.
During the latest attacks, a conservancy ranger from Leparua was shot dead. A 13-year-old boy is also receiving treatment at a private hospital in Isiolo after sustaining a gunshot wound to the neck. Another 15-year-old boy is being treated for bullet wounds sustained during yesterday’s clashes.
Burat Ward MCA Nicholas Lorot called on the government to return firearms to residents, arguing that the community needed to protect itself after what he described as the government’s failure to provide adequate security.
Ngaremara MCA Peter Losu urged the government to take immediate action, including issuing Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) firearms to eligible residents.
Losu warned that continued inaction could force residents to take measures to defend themselves against the ongoing attacks.
Samuel Lokoro, chairman of the Grazing Committee, said residents had repeatedly raised concerns over the influx of livestock from neighbouring Samburu County, but claimed their complaints had not been addressed.
Lokoro said learning in the area had been disrupted because of the heightened tension. He questioned why the government had not taken action to remove herders from neighbouring counties from the Burat area.
He further alleged that some herders from Samburu were receiving reinforcement from county government rangers during the clashes, an allegation that would require confirmation from the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, Stephene Edu accused national leaders from Isiolo of doing little to address the deteriorating security situation.
Edu questioned why the leaders were not adequately representing the concerns of residents at the national level.
He also raised concerns over delays in issuing KPR firearms to residents who had applied and completed the required recruitment process, despite the ongoing security challenges in the area.
