Nine killed in Kenyan border region by Somali clan militia: official

MANDERA, Kenya, July 2 (Xinhua) — A clan militia from Somalia on Wednesday crossed into Kenya and clashed with local herdsmen, leaving nine people killed and six others injured, an official has said.

The militia allegedly from Marhani clan entered Kenya’s northeastern county of Mandera and reportedly attacked herdsmen of Murule community, said Northeastern Regional Coordinator, Mohamud Saleh.

“We have not established the motive behind the attack. The militia had crossed into Kenya from Somalia and killed nine herdsmen and injured six others,” Saleh said, adding that the militia has escaped back into Somalia.

Saleh refuted reports that Somalia-based militant group Al- Shabaab was behind the attack.

The army and police have since stepped up border patrols to thwart such incursion, he said.

This is not the first time that the two communities have clashes, and violent conflicts involving pastoralists have become widespread and increasingly severe in the country’s northern region.

The Murule blames the Marhani of supporting Al-Shabaab which has carried out several attacks in Kenya and killed hundreds of people.

The Mandera region has long been restive due to Al-Shabaab threats.