Seven people were Tuesday killed and two others seriously injured in a bandit attack in Quri village, Garbatulla in a row pitting two communities living near the Isiolo-Garissa border.
The attack comes days after two herders from Garissa were shot dead while pursuing 10 stolen camels in Gotu area in Isiolo.
Garbatulla Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Nyakundi said the attack could have been prompted by the recent killing, noting that many of those killed in the Tuesday dawn attack were from Garissa County.
“The community from Garissa attacked the village early in the morning and there was heavy exchange which resulted to loss of seven lives,” said Mr Nyakundi, adding that the injured were nursing gunshot wounds at one of the hospitals in Isiolo.
The administrator said police officers had been deployed to boost security in the area and assist the affected families pick bodies of their loved ones for burial.
“We are investigating the matter and have already sent officers to the area to ensure peace returns and people go on about their lives uninterrupted,” he told the Nation .
The two communities have in the past clashed over a grazing field in the village with a mother and her young child among those killed in past attacks in the area.
Garbatulla Sub-County Police Commander Alloys Orioki said they were engaging elders from both sides in efforts to ensure peaceful coexistence.
He challenged elders and leaders to take a leading role in preaching peace among the pastoral communities.
“Residents from both sides should learn to coexist and seek amicable solutions to their problems,” Mr Orioki told Nation by phone.
