- Only two of the ten people who were onboard the lorry that was targeted in the Monday night attack survived.
- NCIC chairperson Samuel Kobia said it was a tragic incident as the county has experienced peaceful coexistence for the last two years.
Image: FILE
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has condemned the attack in Moyale that has so far claimed eight lives.
The incident happened along the Kenya-Ethiopia Border at Elledimtu along Forolle-Turbi Road when an unknown number of assailants attacked a vehicle that was transporting food items from Nairobi to Dukana.
Only two of the ten people who were onboard the lorry that was targeted in the Monday night attack survived.
NCIC chairperson Samuel Kobia said it was a tragic incident as the county has experienced peaceful coexistence for the last two years.
"As a Commission, we condole with the families who have lost their loved ones in the tragic attack. We are deeply concerned by the recent attack that disturbs the two years of peace to which NCIC had significantly contributed in achieving and trust that with the resilience of the Marsabit people and their leaders, peace and cohesion in the county is sustained," Kobia said.
Kobia reaffirmed the Commission's unwavering support for the Marsabit political leaders who have united and spoken with a resounding voice on the issue.
"We express that the tragedy is all the more critical if indeed the attackers were from across the Kenyan border and that the government will act swiftly to prevent any recurrence of such incidents," he said.
Kobia called on Marsabit residents to remain calm as government authorities investigate the matter to bring the culprits to book.
He reiterated the Commission's mandate to facilitate peace and cohesion.
"We reiterate our commitment to ensuring that any threat to peace and cohesion is dealt with accordingly," he said.
The lorry was carrying 10 passengers at the time of the attack.
Marsabit Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali led local leaders in condemning the attack saying eight out of the ten passengers aboard the vehicle were shot dead and their bodies alongside the motor vehicle were burnt.
One passenger was severely injured and another one, a minor, escaped unhurt.
“On behalf of the people of Marsabit, we the leaders, condemn these heinous acts with the strongest terms possible, as we condole with the families, friends and relatives of the deceased,” the governor said.
Following the attack, the police say that the lorry burst into flames where 80 bags of 100 kg maize, 60 iron sheets, 5 (200 litres) diesel, 3 by 2 timber, and other assorted goods of unknown value were destroyed.