At 6 am on Saturday, 06 Sept. 2009,t is reported that 300 heavily armed Borana and Somali gunmen attacked the Samburu tribe at Losesia, in Samburu District, near Archer's Post, approx 38 km from Lerata. In addition to killing 3 herdsmen and injuring 2 others, the militia stole 3765 head of cattle, 2635 goats and sheep, 141 camels, and 19 donkeys, according to Samburu East MP Raphael Letimelo. All livestock were removed in lorries.

It is believed they were assisted by the militia group, Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), according to a statement given by Archer's Post Councilor Lukinwai, who also stated the Samburu tribesmen were on their own land and the attack was unrelated to water or grazing rights disputes.
Threats of more severe attacks on the Samburu tribe had been made by Borana and Somali in the Isiolo District for several weeks, with the Samburu people told to 'prepare for doom' and warned foreign militia troops from Southern Ethiopia and Somalia had been brought in to help fight and eradicate the Samburu.

Police were called repeatedly to assist and ignored all requests for help, even those made by the District MP and local Councilors. When police failed to assist, distress calls were made to NRT to aid the injured, but they were unable to respond.

These attacks occur during a severe drought which has resulted in widespread famine, which had been complicated by a maize shortage and police attacks on Samburu tribe in February, when over 5000 livestock were removed, villagers beaten and strafed at by police in helicopter, with lorries being used in the operation to move the livestock. At that time, 2 children had been kidnapped and brutally murdered in addition to other murders and human rights violations, such as the use of chemical weaponry on young children. The further loss of livestock is certain to cause profound suffering and further loss of life.

Earlier this month, reports of Samburu people being killed for body organs were reported in the Samburu Highlands, where similar attacks and livestock thefts have occurred on the Samburu, leading some to be concerned about early genocide trends.

* Mike Rainy