A group of herders from Garissa County have claimed that they were tortured by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers.
The eight herders said that the soldiers rounded them up in Boni Forest and ordered them to undress and lie facing down.
The soldiers who are conducting an operation to flush out Al-Shabaab militants from Boni Forest descended on the herders with kicks and blows and some of the soldiers used clubs on them.
One of the victims identified as Mr Abdi Mohamud claimed that they were beaten even after telling the soldiers they were not armed and that they were herders.
Mr Mohamud said he together with the other herders do not know the whereabouts of their cattle following the attack by the soldiers.
“We were about to take our cattle to the grazing area when several military planes landed and officers came to where we were and started beating us up while naked. Some of us are lucky to be alive. The officers were asking us whether we have guns. We are wondering why they clobbered us even after telling them we are peace-loving Kenyans,” said Mr Mohamud.
The herders were rushed to Masalani Hospital in Ijara Sub-County, Garissa County for treatment.
Garissa-based human rights activists who have condemned the incident said they will move to court to sue the officers.
“KDF officers cannot attack harmless people who are herding their livestock. This is a major blow in the fight against terror,” Northern Forum for Democracy co-ordinator Khalif Abdi said.
Linda Boni operation director Joseph Kanyiri, when contacted for comment, said he was not aware that any herders were attacked.
#bizarre