MARSABIT — An elderly herder from Qorqa Village is nursing serious injuries following a violent cattle rustling attack by suspected militia at Gara Matakaraa, near El Elema Magado in Charigollo Sub-location. The Thursday evening ambush highlights fragile security in North Horr Ward, occurring mere days after regional communities signed a landmark peace agreement.
Marsabit County Police Commander Leonard Kimaiyo confirmed the incident, stating that the attack was officially reported at the North Horr Police Station. In response, a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) vehicle was dispatched to rescue the victim and secure the area.
North Horr Ward MCA Tura Ruru Elema noted that this marks the third raid in Charigollo within a single month, following previous attacks at Sinafur Wells and Wanno Wells. While security agencies had previously advised local herders to withdraw from high-risk zones to prevent conflict, those warnings went unheeded.
“I am appealing to security agencies to act swiftly, investigate the attack, protect lives and livelihoods, enforce resolutions reached during the peace meeting, and prevent further violence,” Elema said.
The raid deals a swift blow to recent diplomatic efforts. Just twenty-four hours prior, Gabra and Turkana communities had convened for a peace summit organized by security agencies, local peace committees, and herders from Loiyangalani and North Horr, with support from Caritas Marsabit.
During the summit, both communities agreed to a total ceasefire, joint management of grazing committees, and unified action against armed militias operating along shared borders. Caritas Marsabit reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to supporting these community-led peace initiatives.
Residents now fear that unchecked militia activity could plunge the region into a broader inter-communal crisis. Community elders and peace committees are calling on national security teams to immediately flush out armed groups hiding in neighboring areas to uphold the peace pact and prevent retaliatory violence.
