Tribal clashes force 6,000 Kenyans to flee their homes

By Meera Selva, Africa correspondent
Published: 16 July 2005

More than 6,000 people have fled their homes to escape the tribal clashes that have so far killed more than 70 people in north-east Kenya this week.

Refugees from the feuding Borana and Gabra tribes have sought safety in the nearest town of Marsabit, and 2,000 soldiers have moved into the area to try to end the violence. The United Nations and the Kenyan Red Cross Society have medical centres in the town for the wounded.

In the nearby town of Isiolo, where both tribes also live, the Roman Catholic Bishop Luigi Locati was shot dead. The reason is unclear but many say that he was killed for helping people in his diocese.

The fighting began when the Borana raided the village of Turbi, killing 22 Gabra children. Ten Gabra were then pulled off a bus and killed in revenge. The bandits who committed the worst of the atrocities are believed to have fled across the Ethiopian border. They are being pursued by Kenyan police, who have promised to recover livestock stolen in the raid.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/africa/article299437.ece

http://www.ethnologue.com/14/show_language.asp?code=GAX
Nothing's ever simple.

http://www.africaonsafari.com/safari.php?id=54&Region=North+Africa
"... The name -Gabra- was bestowed on them by the Borana to describe peoples of inferior status..." may indicate something of the relevant cultural attitudes.