NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 9- A contingent of General Service Unit officers has been deployed in parts of Marsabit County, amidst raging inter-clan violence that has claimed tens of lives.
Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai in a statement on Friday said he was dismayed by the ongoing animosity, saying the “highly specialised” officers have clear instructions of restoring peace in the area.
The violence between two dominant communities has undertones of politics according to security agencies and comes at a time the country is gearing towards an electioneering period.
“We continue to encourage residents of Marsabit to explore and embrace peaceful diplomatic and lawful ways of conflict resolution and extend our support in finding ways and means of doing so,” the Inspector General said.
Other security agencies have been deployed in the area to compliment peace efforts by the GSU.
The move comes after 7 people were reportedly killed in the recent clashes.
Tension between the warring communities has hit the brim, with members of either clan blaming the other for the violence.
Various initiatives to restore peace between the two clans have bore little or no fruit, despite years of efforts by leaders and security agencies.
While relative peace is witnessed after elections, the killings reoccur every time leaders have to seek fresh mandate to run the affairs of the expansive County, bordering Ethiopia.
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