Children bear the brunt of skirmishes
Last updated on 15 Sep 2012 00:00
STANDARD on SATURDAY TEAM
The little boy and girl aged about two cry by the roadside hoping that someone will come to their rescue.
Hungry, untidy and too young to understand what has befallen them, the children in Semikaro village in Tana Delta District are a testimony of the effects of the violence between Orma and Pokomo.
Kenya Red Cross (KRC) officials say several children have been orphaned in the violence that has claimed over 100 people.
However, numerous parents are also complaining they have lost their children.
KRC Tana River County leader Caleb Kalinde acknowledges that children, including those in Class Eight and Form Four have been immensely affected by the current violence.
“Schools have not reopened for new term across Tana Delta due to violence,” says Mr Kalinde, who also warns the situation will worsen if schools open because it is the institutions that are hosting internally displaced persons.
Kalinde notes crisis looms in affected areas since a good number of children have been orphaned.
He adds that during attacks, the militia did not spare children.
At a camp in Semikaro village, a man identified only as Kofa notes most children are Pokomos, whose village was raided by suspected Orma gunmen on Tuesday.