Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service)- “An unprecedented massacre which poses disquieting queries on why it was organised and by whom” said Fr Eugenio Ferrari, Consolata missionary and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kenya with regard to the massacre on 12 July in the village of Torbi, 150km from Marsabit about 500km north of Nairobi.
“A group of armed men maybe as many as 500 attacked the village at dawn” Fr. Ferrari said. “They shot at everything and everyone killing even school children in uniform on the way to school. The bandits were armed with Russian rifles as well as machetes and knives and bows and arrows. Many of the wounded were finished off with a shot in the head. Among the dead two school teachers a man and a woman who tried desperately to protect their pupils. Besides children there were many women and elderly people among the dead”.
The total number continues to rise. “At least between 80-100 are reported dead and hundreds wounded, some very serious” the missionary said. “Many bled to death because the nearest hospital is 150 km away at Marsabit. The roads are very bad and the wounded were transported on trucks. It is difficult to know precisley how many were killed beacuse some bodies were buried immediately since Muslims do not wait to bury their dead”. The government sent helicopters with aid workers.
“The bandits also stole about 200 cows, several camels and thousands of sheep: in other words the entire wealth of the village” said Fr Ferrari. “The survivors face a bleak future, probably life in a slum in Marsabit the only town in the area , unless they find some of their herds so they can resume their activity.
The local police which has reduced forces in this vast and relatively underpopulated area, reacted but was overwhelemed. About ten of the assailants were among those found dead.
The bandits who attacked Torbi were reportedly members of the Borana tribe rivals of the Gabra villagers. “In this area since January at least 100 people have been killed in clashes for control of pastures and water wells” (see Fides 16 March 2005) Fr. Ferrari recalled. “But this massacre was much worse. This was the first time we saw such a large, well armed and organised gang and such ferocity” Fr Ferrari said. “Who paid for their weapons, the people of Kenya are asking. If in the past there were episodes in which the government was suspected of being involved now the behaviour of the new government led by President Kibaki would appear to be transparent” the missionary said. “It is possible that some local personality may want to build tension”.
The north west region is one of the poorest in Kenya. “An article on the region published by a local newspaper said the people do not feel they are Kenyans because they have no roads, or schools or hospitals. The only people who guarantee indispensible services are the missionaries” Fr Ferrari said. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/7/2005 righe 43 parole 573)
