Daily Nation
By SUNDAY NATION Correspondent
Sunday, March 4, 2001

A 14-year-old girl died on the spot after she was hit by a stray bullet in Moyale town on Friday.

Eastern deputy Provincial Police Officer Gilbert Imanyara said the girl, identified as Amina Wako Galgallo, was killed along Biashara Street.

The bullet was reportedly fired as rival ethnic groups fighting near the Ethiopian border fired indiscriminately from 2 pm.

Business was still paralysed as most residents remained indoors as the fighting continued on Friday night.

Police said investigations had been launched to establish the group that fired bullets into the Kenyan side.

Mr Imanyara said patrols had been intensified to ensure the forces do not enter Kenya.

"Police and army personnel in Moyale have been put on alert and are now covering the border," he said.

Mr Imanyara would not, however, comment on reports that several Kenyans reportedly visiting Ethiopia at the time of the fighting had been killed or injured.

Meanwhile, a British national was attacked by a gang of about 20 armed robbers at his Nyaribo residence, Nyeri District, on Friday.

But the man, dentified only as Mr Derrick, escaped unhurt while his guard sustained serious injuries.

The man, who was sponsoring a local community water project, threatened to withdraw. It was a second attack in less than a year.

Should he carry out the threat, the fate of the multi-million Honi Water Project would hang in the balance. It is funded through the Presbyterian Church of East Africa.

According to witnesses, Mr Derrick had visitors at his residence when attacked.

Residents said yesterday the area had experienced a spate of robberies for the last two years.

Local police boss Elijah Shamalla was reported to be away on official duty and could not be reached for comment.