Leaders in Isiolo County have called for urgent government intervention to restore calm in Burat following clashes between herders and suspected cattle rustlers that left one person dead and two boys with gunshot wounds.
A ranger from Leparua Conservancy was shot dead on Thursday during cattle raids, while a 13-year-old boy is receiving treatment at a private hospital in Isiolo after sustaining a gunshot wound to the neck. Another 15-year-old boy was also injured during the clashes.
As security teams pursue suspected rustlers, community leaders and elders have appealed for enhanced security measures to prevent further loss of life and escalation of tensions.
Turkana community leaders and Members of the County Assembly have called for the deployment and arming of additional National Police Reservists (NPRs), saying residents remain vulnerable to attacks from neighbouring communities in Samburu and Laikipia counties.
The leaders appealed to President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to intervene and protect residents from what they described as persistent livestock raids originating from neighbouring counties.
Speaking during a press briefing in Isiolo town, Burat Ward MCA Nicholas Lorot called for the return of firearms confiscated from residents and the arming of eligible NPRs to complement government security operations in the vast and volatile region.
Ngaremara Ward MCA Peter Losu similarly urged the government to urgently arm qualified NPRs, warning that continued inaction could expose residents to further attacks.
Grazing Committee Chairman Samuel Lokoro said residents had repeatedly raised concerns over what he described as an influx of livestock from neighbouring Samburu County, but claimed their complaints had not received adequate attention.
Lokoro urged the government to act swiftly to prevent disruption of education, warning that the tense security situation could keep teachers, learners and parents away from schools.
Meanwhile, Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner Edwin Kuria said security officers had been deployed to pursue suspected rustlers, recover stolen livestock and restore calm in the affected areas.
Kuria said security teams from Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia counties were working jointly to apprehend those behind the attacks and ensure that they face legal action.
He urged the affected communities to exercise restraint and give security agencies and local elders time to resolve the tensions, warning that retaliatory attacks could escalate the conflict and result in further loss of lives.
Kuria said he had already met Turkana community leaders and elders and agreed to broaden peace efforts by involving elders from the Samburu and Dorobo communities in neighbouring Samburu and Laikipia counties.
He said the involvement of elders from the affected communities would help address longstanding grievances surrounding grazing, livestock theft and access to pasture, while creating opportunities for dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Turkana Council of Elders Chairman Stephen Edu criticised national leaders from Isiolo for what he described as inadequate action to address the deteriorating security situation.
Edu also expressed concern over delays in issuing NPR firearms to residents who had applied and successfully completed the required recruitment process.
The leaders called for coordinated action by security agencies, county governments and community elders to address the underlying causes of conflict and prevent further clashes in the region.
By David Nduro
