[The herders are fleeing from a water and pasture crisis, an issue that has been raised by the county authorities.] (flickr.com)Authorities in Isiolo have raised concern over the rise in the number of camel herder streaming into the county.
Most of the herders come from as far as Wajir and are fleeing away from a water crisis that has hit the arid county.
Isiolo police boss Charles Ontiti told journalists Saturday some of the herders are armed with AK47 rifles and are a security threat to locals.
“We have information there is a serious water crisis in Wajir, that’s why they are coming here,” he said.
“Some of them are armed with guns. We will find ways of talking to them and ensure there is peace.”
Ontiti said herders from outside the county are free to herd animals in Isiolo but added they ought to notify residents before arrival. Most of the ‘foreign’ herders have pitched camp at Marti area.
Isiolo is mostly inhabited by members of the Togotia community while Wajir is dominated by the Borana.
They are both Cushitic speaking groups and they mainly derive their livelihood from pastoralism.
A serious pasture and water crisis in Garissa, Wajir and Marsabit Counties drove hundreds of camel herder to the counties of Isiolo and Tana River earlier 2017 where more than 100 camels were killed by unknown people.