At least four people have been killed and one injured in an outbreak of ethnic violence in North Horr Constituency, Marsabit County, in a resurgence of tensions between the Gabra and Wayu pastoralist communities. The clashes, which remain under investigation, appear to have been triggered by the discovery of two missing young men from the Gabra community whose bodies were found in the Qorta area.
The violent cycle escalated when suspected Gabra community members launched a retaliatory night attack on a Manyatta belonging to the Wayu community. The assault left two men dead and a woman nursing gunshot wounds. The injured woman is reportedly in stable condition and receiving treatment.
Authorities have responded swiftly to the incident, with security agencies pursuing a list of 26 suspects believed to have played a role in the violence. Among those being investigated are a senior national government official and a local Member of County Assembly (MCA), both accused of incitement and sponsoring the retaliatory violence. Security officials stated that criminal investigations officers have been dispatched to track down the suspects and ensure they record statements immediately.
In the aftermath of the violence, several households in Dukana Sub-County were set ablaze, leaving families homeless. Many of the displaced have since sought refuge at the Dukana police station and a nearby border patrol unit camp.
In an urgent press briefing following a security meeting, the county leadership emphasized that law enforcement is taking firm measures to stabilize the situation and restore calm across the affected areas. Residents were warned against taking the law into their own hands, and political leaders were cautioned against engaging in or encouraging acts of incitement.
The leadership also stressed that this type of conflict undermines the considerable efforts that have gone into peacebuilding across Marsabit’s multi-ethnic communities. Community leaders expressed concern that renewed hostilities could unravel years of grassroots dialogue that had promoted peaceful coexistence.
Local leaders and officials condemned the attacks, calling for unity and restraint. They urged residents to remember the shared progress made in building bridges among communities, warning that conflict would only set back development and increase suffering.
The county government has committed to sending humanitarian aid to those affected and appealed for support from well-wishers. Women and children, in particular, were noted as being the most vulnerable during such clashes. Community advocates emphasized the importance of empathy and forgiveness, urging people to respond to conflict with dialogue rather than violence.
Residents across Marsabit are being encouraged to embrace unity and mutual respect despite ethnic differences. Authorities reiterated their pledge to ensure that perpetrators of the violence are brought to justice and that peace is restored to North Horr and surrounding regions.
