Neighbours who simply won't live without conflicts

Story by MUCHEMI WACHIRA
Publication Date: 4/23/2006
Northern Kenya comprises Isiolo, Marsabit, Moyale and Wajir.
Marsabit and Moyale districts neighbour Ethiopia to the north. The two districts are occupied by Boranas, Gabras, Burjis and Rendilles.
The Borana are the majority in Moyale with a small population of the Gabra. But in Marsabit, the two communities (Borana and Gabra) have almost equal populations. Whereas Boranas occupy the Marsabit mountain, the Gabras live in the northern part.
There is also a considerable population of Samburus in the southern part of Marsabit as well as Turkanas in the West. Dasanatch, one of the smallest communities in Kenya, are also found in north west of Marsabit.
In Moyale, the Ngarri, a clan of the Somali, have settled in the district where they do business in Moyale town.
Communities that neighbour Ethiopia are Boranas, Gabras and the Dasanatch. Boranas occupy Moyale, which neighbours Ethiopia to the North. They live on both sides of the border.
And in Marsabit the Gabra occupy the northern part, which comprises Maikona and North Horr divisions in North Horr constituency.
Across the border
North Horr stretches to the border in the north from Forolle trading centre. Gabras are also found across the border. In the south west where River Omo drains into Lake Turkana, live the Dasanatch. They live in Illeret location next to Sibiloi National Park. On the east of the park is North Horr constituency.
Marsabit town area, also known as Saku constituency, has Central and Gadamoji divisions. The area is cosmopolitan but the major communities in the area are Rendilles, Boranas and Burjis.
The area has arable land. Marsabit mountain has an extensive national park and forest. The communities living in this area are anglo-pastoralists.
Burjis also own big businesses in Marsabit town. They are also found in Moyale where, like in Marsabit, they are among the leading business people with the Ngarres, a Somali community related to the Gabra.
A number of Gabra elites have bought land within Marsabit town as well as a few Kikuyu and Meru business people who have settled in the town.
Some Ethiopian refugees have also occupied Badasa area, in Gadamoji division at the foot of the mountain where they grow miraa (khat).
Mother tongue
Rendilles who live in Marsabit town area do not speak their mother tongue but mostly speak Borana language.
Others who live in Laisamis division, in the southern part of the district have been assimilated by the Samburus and they speak their language. Laisamis division extends to Samburu district.
But Rendilles who live in Kargi and Korr locations of Loiyangallani division speak their mother tongue.
Kargi neigbours Maikona division which is predominantly Gabra land. Rendilles of Kargi have always been at war with the Gabra.
In Loiyangallani town in the southwest of the district there is also a group of Rendilles who neighbour the Samburu. But Turkanas who are the majority in the town have constructed their manyattas separate from the Rendilles.
Turkanas have also settled in Moite village, which is north west of Loiyangallani.
The El-molo people also live in Loiyangallani town, which is at the shores of Lake Turkana.
Marsabit are Moyale are the two districts which have been in the news lately over the recurrent ethnic clashes and the loss of all their five Members of Parliament in a plane crash.

Source: www.nationmedia.com