Tana River residents demand action as farmers, pastoralists conflict escalates

Residents of Bohoni village in Tana River County are calling on security authorities to intervene urgently in the growing conflict between local farmers and pastoralists from the neighbouring Garissa County.

The residents have expressed concerns that tensions, which have been simmering for some time, are now at a breaking point, threatening both livelihoods and the fragile peace in the region.

The conflict stems from allegations that pastoralists from Garissa have been grazing their livestock on the farmers' mature crops without permission.

The situation has been further aggravated by the reported destruction of a water project that was benefiting both farmers and the visiting pastoralists. The residents have urged their neighbours to respect the goodwill they have been shown, warning that continued disregard could lead to further unrest.

"The government must understand that we, the people of Tana River, are tired of being shown excessive weakness. We are no longer willing to tolerate our crops being destroyed by their livestock. If an issue arises, we call our leaders, show them the situation, and then follow up. But it is shocking that problems emerged three days ago and have already been taken to Parliament. When did that MP come to see the situation and determine that it was his people’s livestock that were killed? The incident happened in the Tana River, in Galole, not in their territory. We have no need for hostility here," Taksan Omar, a resident of Bohoni said.

Galole MP Said Hiribae. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Bakari Kombo, another resident, elaborated on the community’s struggles.

"Our biggest challenge is the distance we have to cover to fetch water. The situation is even worse for women and children, who bear the brunt of this burden. Imagine walking for hours under the scorching sun, only to find that the water source has been tampered with or destroyed. We had a water project that was supposed to make life easier for us, but now it's been vandalised. We’re not just dealing with the destruction of crops; our basic necessities are under threat, and it's our families who suffer the most," he said.

Galole MP, Said Hiribae, emphasised the need for security noting, "It is often the farmers who are provoked because the livestock owners come from afar and end up in the farms. This is where the problem lies. As leaders, we are insisting that the government ensures security in this area and that our people do not have to move away."

"This incident occurred here, and we have seen the evidence. The water project that was installed here has been vandalised, and our neighbours have damaged it."