In a tragic escalation of ongoing tensions, at least six lives were cut short as an inter-clan clash erupted in northeastern Kenya's Garissa County on Wednesday.
The incident occurred when unknown gunmen ambushed a group of individuals traveling in a vehicle, leaving a trail of death and sparking fears of retaliatory violence.
Northeastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno confirmed the grim event, revealing that the victims were brutally executed while inside their vehicle.
Preliminary investigations have indicated a possible revenge motive, triggered by the murder of a member from the rival clan.
Local authorities swiftly apprehended one suspect who is now assisting in the investigation.
The clash is part of a series of inter-clan conflicts that have plagued Garissa County, with longstanding land disputes acting as the underlying trigger.
Otieno noted that at least 10 individuals from both rival clans have fallen victim to the cycle of violence, exposing the tragic consequences of unresolved land issues.
Tragically, among the deceased were two high-school students who had been traveling home for the holidays.
Witnesses recounted the horrifying scene where the assailants halted the vehicle and executed all its occupants.
A resident, speaking anonymously, conveyed the grim details via phone, highlighting the brutal reality of the situation.
Tensions have now escalated to an alarming level, with fears of further retaliation and violence looming over the region.
Inter-clan clashes, fueled by contested land resources, have become a recurrent problem in Garissa County.
The loss of communal grazing land due to agricultural expansion and environmental degradation has exacerbated conflicts across northern Kenya's pastoral areas.
The freedom of movement, a crucial aspect of the pastoralists' resource management system, has been compromised, resulting in dire consequences for both the communities and the environment.