“For two years now, we have not been able to get enough out of the farms we left behind in 2017 after the Somali militants killed many of us. Due to the security threat, we go to the farms during the day and return to the government settlement in the evening,” Benson shared. “Eventually, we end up wasting a lot of time commuting, resulting in low productivity. Sometimes, wild animals invade and destroy our crops. It has not been easy. The Orma people, who resemble the Somalis – although are related to the Oromo people of Ethiopia – scare us a lot because, they also collaborate with the al-Shabaab to kill us.”

Earlier in the year, another survivor of the 2017 attack, Katana Nyati, went through a similar ordeal with the Orma herdsmen. Thankfully, he did not sustain any injuries. Nevertheless, while speaking to ICC, he said, “In February, my farm was destroyed in the same manner. The herders do this intentionally and when they are asked, they claim that Allah gave them the belt along the Boni Forest as grazing zones for their livestock. I managed to run and escape from them for they pursued me, armed with machetes.”

At the time of the interview, Benson had received treatment and police were investigating the matter.

“I am glad that the police are pursuing the case after I registered a statement with them. Although there are minimal chances of getting compensation, I am hopeful that the herders will fear and respect our farms that the government allocated to us so that we can coexist peacefully. I will be saddened if my involvement with the police escalates the conflict because many of us might be targeted and killed,” Benson concluded.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org