The fatal clash between the Meru and Borana communities in Mpeketoni village in Igembe that resulted in the killing of four Meru residents was a retaliation after a member of the Mpeketoni community slashed the hand of a Borana.
A KPR official said that Alake, a chief, knew the suspects in the murders of four people the night before. He said that the chief also knew the suspects in the theft of 14 goats.
“I strongly urge the DCC to arrest the chief so that he can reveal the identities of the murder suspects and the location of the goats stolen,” a KPR official said.
“We demand that the Isiolo security team hand over the suspects who murdered five members of the Mpeketoni community, including a man known as Maore, because we handed over our suspect,” a KPR official said.
The DCC said that a police patrol base would be established near the community and that a police operation would be carried out to flush out the bandits. He said that for the operation to be successful, members of the community must provide intelligence reports.
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According to the KPR official, In 2016, there were a total of 16 Meru residents who died. He said that the Borana set fire to a house, a church, and a school one morning.
“The Borana’s killings are motivated by a desire for pasture. It has been reported that a head was discovered in the park, which is thought to have been decapitated from the body of a missing person,” a KPR official said.
“Members of the Mpeketoni community are aware of the Borana herders wielding firearms but are afraid to report them for fear of being assassinated,” a KPR official said.
The official said that the members of the Mpeketoni community saw a Borana carrying a gun the day before but none of them reported to the chief.
“Because goats are stolen at night, members of the community have resorted to raising pigs,” said a KPR official.
According to the KPR official, every time a peace meeting between the Borana and the Mpeketoni community is scheduled, the Borana community makes excuses for not attending, and a while Later, a report of cattle rustling is made.
