By Augustine Ehikioya
Gunmen in two separate attacks in Saku, Marsabit County in Kenya, have killed at least 12 persons on Saturday.
They also injured three others who have been admitted at an hospital in the area.
The gunmen also made away with 1,800 cattles, 1,800 goats and sheep in the two incidents.
This was gathered on Sunday by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
The Inspector General of Police, Hilary Mutyambai said teams of security officials had arrived in the area to backup those on the ground in the hunt of the attackers.
“We urge for support from local leaders and others. We are determined to find a solution to this,” he said.
The attackers on Saturday drove off with hundreds of animals as security agencies pursued them.
Marsabit County Police Commander, Robinson Mboloi said in the first attack, “armed attackers raided a manyatta (homestead) in Jaldesa area at around 5:00am and made away with 1,000 heads of cattle and 300 goats and sheep.”
Mboloi said Police,”immediately responded and pursued the attackers who escaped and left the stolen animals following a gun battle with the security agencies.”
He said eight people were killed in the first incident while three others were injured.
In the second incident, Mboloi said that “another group of bandits attacked another village in Kubi Qallo and stole 800 heads of cattle and 1,500 goats and sheep.
“In the shootout, four other people lost their lives, when Police got the information they went to the area and with the help of locals recovered the stolen animals,” he added.
Security teams comprising of officials from Border Patrol Unit were sent to the area to pursue the attackers, while tension have remained high in the area amid fears of retaliations from the affected people.
Multi agency teams were deployed to the expansive area in efforts to address the latest issue which is worsening over political stands in the area.
Police said the injured are in stable condition.
There are however fears that the incident will escalate and lead to more deaths.
In recent months, Marsabit County has been embroiled in a conflict, which has left tens of people dead, and several injured.
Last month, six people were killed in the same Saku Constituency, Marsabit County after the vehicle they were traveling in was sprayed with bullets. 11 others were injured.
Early in December, a section of Marsabit leaders warned the fear of attacks along the Isiolo-Marsabit-Moyale highway were hampering donation of relief food to residents at a time locals were facing severe drought.
Residents accuse the political class of being behind the fighting.
The violence between two dominant communities has undertones of politics according to security agencies and comes at a time the country is gearing towards an electioneering period.