The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed that five people lost their lives on Friday, October 4, in a shooting incident in Anole, Tana River County.
In a statement on Monday, October 7, the NPS said the violence was caused by a disagreement between two communities over the control of a watering point.
The clash quickly escalated and a retaliatory attack was staged in Nanighi Village, raising the death toll to nine after four more people were killed.
The National Police Service has since deployed additional security personnel in the area to restore calm, alongside the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
"Preliminary investigations indicate that the dispute was caused by a disagreement between two communities over control of a watering point at Anole. Consequently, we have scaled up security operations in the area, with reinforcement teams from NPS and KDF,while the DCI has launched investigations to pursue the perpetrators of this heinous act," part of the statement read.
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Several homesteads locally known as manyattas were also torched in the clashes, raising concerns about further violence.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja called for calm among the affected communities as security operations continue.
"Whereas the National Police Service, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains on high alert and is closely monitoring the situation in Tana River County and other parts of the country, we wish to call upon all members of the public to partner with the Police by reporting any criminal activities or suspects," Kanja said.
Tension has remained high in the Bangale sub-county, Tana River following the renewed inter-clan clashes over land disputes.
The skirmishes that have escalated to several villages started last week have seen the warring communities use firearms, bows, and arrows with security officers struggling to contain them.
