Kenya calls for end to hostilities

The Kenyan government on Wednesday called for immediate observance of peace and cessation of hostilities after Tuesday night’s clashes between farmers and pastoralists in Tana River County where 48 people were killed.Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who visited the scene of the clashes, said the continued fighting over resources between the two groups was threatening peace and security and retarding area development.“This continued animosity should stop immediately and leaders from the two communities come up with mechanisms of solving their differences without resorting to clashes,” Musyoka added.During the clashes at Rekete village in the location of Tarasaa, 48 people among them 31 women, 11 children and six men were killed.At least three people were killed and six others injured in the same region last week when Orma pastoralists attacked Pokomo villages.The Orma cattle had strayed into farmlands owned by Pokomos and in the process destroyed crops. The prompted the Pokomos to attack the Orma herdsmen, killing some of their animals.The Regional deputy police commander, Joseph Kirur, said security has been beefed up in the area to contain further clashes between the two communities over rights to land and water resources.