Eight Kenyans were on Saturday afternoon Killed in a daring attack in Kerio Valley, while several others were left nursing severe injuries.
Confirming the incident, Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Mohamed Maalim said the herders from Tiaty and the attackers from Marakwet Sub-Counties suffered casualties and they have also been identified.
“The attack happened at 3pm after herders from the Pokot community, among them minors took, their livestock to Siromet grazing field in Kibaimwa Location in Marakwet East when they were ambushed and attacked by armed criminals from the Marakwet community, who also made away with an unknown number of livestock,” the Regional Commissioner said.
Among those killed were two minors.
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The attack occurred on the Banks of River Kerio when herders from Kipnai and Loiwat villages in Tiaty West Sub-County were ambushed by armed men after they crossed Siromet grazing field in the neighbouring Marakwet East Sub-County.
A fierce exchange of fire that lasted for hours ensued between the two groups, leading to casualties from both sides, among them a 12-year-old boy who was a Grade Three pupil at Adich primary school in Tiaty and another one aged 15.
The attackers made away with an unknown number of livestock.
Tension remains high in the area after the killings ignited animosities between the warring Pokot and Marakwet communities.
The attack comes barely two weeks after a school bus driver died and 13 students along with two teachers were injured after bandits attacked a convoy of school buses in Kerio Valley.
The students and the teachers were from an academic tour in a convoy of three buses belonging to Tot Day School, Kerio Valley School and Mogil school.
The incident occurred at about 10 pm along the Arror-Mogil road near Tot in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The bandits indiscriminately sprayed bullets at the students and teachers in the vehicle.
