By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya

Seven people were killed during ethnic border clashes in central Kenya’s Meru county that began on Sunday, local media quoting Kenya Red Cross and police said on Tuesday.

The clashes between the Meru tribe and their neighbors, the Borana from Isiolo County, also left over 700 people displaced.

Local media said bandits suspected to be from the Borana community had razed six villages, leaving the stranded people to camp at the Kathithine Primary School where Red Cross volunteers were taking care of them.

Attackers also reportedly stole motorbikes and livestock, Red Cross regional manager Gitonga Mugambi said, adding the theft of livestock and murder of two youth ferrying milk along the Mau-Garbayulla road, which connects the two communities, might have caused the ethnic clashes to break out.

The border region has a history of persistent cattle rustling. In 2015, three county officials were arrested for inciting ethnic violence that claimed the lives of 11 people.