Bloodbath and grief has engulfed a remote village of Forole in Marsabit County following the massacre of eleven elders from one community by a militia group from Ethiopia over a disputed watering point in an abortive peace meeting.
A delegation from the volatile area yesterday claimed the attacks are politically instigated pointing an accusing finger to a senior political leader in Marsabit County. They termed the devastating attack as an act of invasion and an affront to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Kenya.
Led by Yattani Wario, a local leader, the irate group called said they are yet to retrieve the bodies of the deceased from the scene for fear of attacks. They fear the nearby Forole Police Station located four kilometers from the scene of the massacre can be overran by the invaders since only four police officers are stationed there and without a vehicle.
The mass slaughter was executed on Monday before noon in an abortive peace meeting between Gabra elders of Forole Kenya and Borana administrative representatives of Mega-Dhilo area of Arbale region. Three other elders’ sustained injuries but one escaped unhurt. “The militia surrounded the elders and killed them on the spot.
“Most of the elders who were slaughtered were in their mid-60s. The said peace meeting was in fact a well-planned and coordinated to butcher Kenyan elders who were unaware of the heinous intentions of Ethiopia’s officials from the said area.” Yattani Waio, a local leader said yesterday.
They blamed local political operatives for harbouring a scheme to facilitate permanent settlement of foreigners for political reasons. Marsabit County Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali was adversely mentioned for allegedly spending massive county resources to construct and provide the foreign nationals with requisite services including hospitals, schools and boreholes at the expense of the rightful inhabitants with an express plan to permanently settle them in Elle Dimtu in North Horr constituency.
They cited Guyo Huka of Dhilo area and Hassan Huka from Mega area as the key masterminds of the attack. “Immediately investigate the Governor of Marsabit County Mohamed Mahmud Ali and county government for funding and settling foreigners in parts of North Horr Sub County and for fanning clashes between the two communities which have so far claimed many lives.” Yattani said.
Those killed are Budha Mamo Saqo,Dido Koke Kiro, Galgalo Khafo, Roba Wario, Elema Girgira, Dulacha Mamo Bora, Boya Elema, Wario Elema Darole , Dub Galgallo Kunna, Boru elema and Boru Chuute. By yesterday evening, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho were not reachable for comments as their phones went unanswered.
They demanded immediate return firearms confiscated from National Police Reservists from Forole and Turbi by the County Security Committee and deployment of General Service Unit (GSU) camp to the volatile area. As a long term intervention, they urged the government to open a military detachment in Forole avert continuous foreign aggression by Ethiopian militia group.