Marsabit County Governor Mohammed Ali has blamed police laxity for the escalating ethnic clashes in Marsabit.
Ali on Thursday dismissed claims that the clashes are caused by political differences between Borana and Gabra communities.
He spoke at Citizen TV moments after he and other two MPs were questioned by detectives over the clashes.
The two MPs are Dido Rasso (Saku) and Chachu Nganya (North Horr).
“The clashes have continued because of laxity of the security officials of the county,” Ali said.
The Governor said some outside forces were working to destabilise the county and make the leaders appear incompetent.
A total of 14 people have died in the clashes that started in September including the two who were killed on Tuesday night.
The war between the two communities began after an old man was killed on September 5.
This led to retaliatory attacks that led to more killings.
“Somebody decided to kill an old man who had migrated with his animals, the following morning there was an exchange of fire and three men were were killed,” he said.
Governor Ali said the retaliatory attacks on Tuesday were targeting women and children who had fled their homes in Qubi Qallo and Dhokatu villages.
The skirmishes have led to the closure of some schools.
He said the underlying issue is land which is not being addressed impartially by the security officers.
“When you see a county commissioner not wanting to sit down and reason with the duly elected Governor, then there is a big problem. I call upon the President to step in and help us solve these issues,” he said.