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NAIROBI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Eleven people died on Sunday during a fierce gun battle between Borana and Samburu herders in northern Kenya, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The fight took place in a grazing field in Kom, former Merti district, where herders from Isiolo, Samburu and parts of Marsabit counties in northern Kenya had migrated to in search of water and pasture.
At least 20 cows were also killed in the skirmishes that erupted against a backdrop of severe drought in northern parts of Kenya.
Isiolo County Police Commander Charles Ontita said local Borana herders had earlier attacked Samburu counterparts who later engaged in a retaliatory attack.
"The Borana attacked the Samburu and stole the animals. The owners pursued them and caught up with them resulting in a fierce fight," said Ontita.
He said six people from Isiolo county were killed while the Samburu had four casualties.
A hotelier at Archers Post, who hails from Isiolo town, was attacked with stones and clubs at his premises and killed in what sources said was a revenge attack.
Ontita said a Samburu herder sustained gunshot wounds in a different fighting in the area amid escalating tension.
A joint security personnel aided by an aircraft recovered a huge significant number of the stolen animals. Enditem
