At least 3 people were killed on Friday in northern Kenyan town of Mandera as clashes between two warring communities escalated following the killing of a prominent business man in Rhamu area.

The business man who was identified as Haji Belle Hammed and who hails from the Degodia clan was killed on the spot on Thursday after being knocked down by a campaign vehicle at Rhamu trading centre.

The incident sparked off skirmishes between the Degodia and Garreh clans which saw four houses burnt down with the top security committee touring the area.

Divisional police commander, Stephen Weda said on Friday the man was accidentally hit by the vehicle as the driver, who is a Garreh attempted to speed away from rowdy youths who were pelting the vehicle with stones.

"The driver accelerated to escape from the stone-throwing mob hitting the trader in the ensuing confusion," Weda told Xinhua by telephone.

Garre and Degodia clans, who have co-existed in Mandera and Wajir counties for years harmoniously, have turned bitter foes after 2007 general election, after the former clan lost its traditional Mandera central constituency to the later.

Garre, who are majority in the constituency, lost the seat to Abdikhadir Mohamed, a Degodia after Garre votes were divided among over four candidates contesting. Mohamed has since announced that he would not contest election in March 4 elections.

The incident is said to have provoked angry reaction from members of the Degodia clan living in the town who set on fire houses belonging to members of the Garreh clan.

In retaliation, members of the Gurreh set ablaze several houses belonging to members of the Degodia before security personnel moved in and quelled the hostilities.

Regional police commander, Charlton Mureithi who also confirmed the incident said that security personnel have been deployed in the area to quell the clashes.

"Our officers drawn from the GSU regular and administration units are on the ground patrolling the area in a bid stop more attacks, we however want to warn anybody trying to fuel the clashes that the government will not hesitate to arrest them," said Mureithi.

Tension remained high in Rhamu tow as businesses remained closed for the better part of the day.