Kenya Red Cross distributes relief in Baringo to families displaced by the inter-ethnic clashes/KRCS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 15 – The Kenya Red Cross says 11 people have been killed and four injured in Makutani area of Baringo County following inter-clan conflict between the Pokot and IIchamus communities.
Of those killed in the violence that started on Tuesday night, seven are women and four are children, according to Kenya Red cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet.
“We responded with our team of paramedics and managed to stabilise the four casualties on the site, all who had taken cover in one of the dormitories at Makutani Primary and Boarding,” he said in a statement to newsrooms.
“The baby had minor cuts on the cheeks, was treated and discharged. One child had a severe injury on the bottom while the adult male was shot in the stomach.”
The violence is said to have been triggered by the theft of livestock belonging to the Pokot by the IIchamus.
Despite the government deploying massive security personnel in the troubled area, insecurity has persisted, claiming tens of lives.
“It is unfortunate that majority of those killed are children and women. I call upon all involved parties to this conflict, especially community elders from the Pokot, Tugen and IIchamus communities to come to the table and resolve this conflict, to avoid further loss of innocent life,” he appealed.
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Tension still remains high in the area even as the security agencies move to restore law and order.
Area MCA Renson Parkei has blamed the government for not responding earlier after giving them report that the area residents had been threatened.
“How can police officers respond to the matter when already the damage has occurred and they had the information earlier in the day. If they responded quickly, they could have saved the situation,” the county legislator said.
The MCA added that the unknown number of the area residents have gone missing following the incident.
He has urged the residents to be calm and not to launch any retaliatory attacks but instead help the police in the investigations for criminals to be arrested.
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