In the latest escalation of violence in Kenya’s Tana River County, six more people have been killed, bringing the death toll to 14 in clashes between rival communities. The fighting, which started nearly a week ago in the Anole area, has now spread to neighboring villages, including Nanighi, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes.
Many of the displaced residents are seeking refuge from the ongoing violence, with several victims currently in critical condition receiving medical care in hospitals.
Abdi Mogow, a resident of the region, expressed disbelief over the extent of the violence, telling A Kenyan TV, “I have lived here my entire life, and what is happening now is beyond anything we’ve seen before.”
According to eyewitness accounts, five people were killed in last Friday’s fighting, with another four left severely injured and hospitalized. Locals have blamed political tensions for the conflict, citing the failure of authorities to maintain security in the area.
“These clashes are politically motivated. The main problem is that the security forces have failed to act,” commented one resident.
The violence was reportedly triggered by the Tana River County government’s decision to allocate land for the resettlement of flood victims along the Garissa-Hola road. The move angered the local pastoralist community, which considers the land critical for grazing and water access.
Coast Regional Commander Roda Onyanja assured residents that efforts were underway to restore peace, making the statement just hours before the latest deaths occurred. Earlier, the Inspector General of Police had confirmed the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces to the region to bolster security.
George Seda, Deputy Director of Operations at the National Police Service (NPS), urged the public to assist in identifying individuals illegally possessing firearms. “These guns are being used to take lives. We need help to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
The clashes follow a summons issued to five political leaders from Tana River County to appear before the National Unity and Integration Commission on October 8, to address issues related to the ongoing violence.
With tensions still high, residents are pleading for immediate action from security agencies to prevent further bloodshed and restore safety in their communities.