The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) wants the governments to expedite investigations to arrest perpetrators of clashes in Tana River County that has claimed at least 18 lives in a span of a week.
The calls come after Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Prof Kithure Kindiki in a gazette notice dated October 11, 2024, declared 12 locations in Bangale and Tana North Sub-Counties as security disturbed and dangerous for 30 days.
The locations are Madogo, Areri, Sala, Saka, Mororo, and Mbalambala in the Bangale Sub-County and Hirimani, Hosingo, Dukanotu, Chewele, Nanighi, and Bura in the Tana North Sub-county.
CIPK Organizing Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Khalifa condoled with the families who lost their loved ones in the skirmishes and wished the injured quick recovery.
“They sow discord and made people who have co-existed harmoniously for eons, they lived as brothers and have intermarried, and do business together,” said Sheikh Khalifa in Mombasa while condemning those behind the skirmishes.
The two communities, he added are from one religion and they pray and fast together during the holy months of Ramadhan but have turned to each other.
“It’s disgusting that the death toll has reached 18 people. If one person dies in a community people are in desolation. The killing of 18 people is utter sorrow,” stated the CIPK Organizing Secretary.
Clerics in the troubled areas were urged to use Friday sermons and daily prayers to reconcile the communities for peace to prevail in the County. The clerics were encouraged to work with the Chiefs to restore peace.
The government was also challenged to apprehend the perpetrators of the inter-communal clashes regardless of their position in the society.
“They don’t have mercy if they were able to kill 18 people. They should deal with them ruthlessly as they deal with other criminals,” said Sheikh Khalifa.
CIPK wants the residents to be involved in public participation in government programs and projects that will affect them.
Sheikh Hassan Omar, CIPK National Treasurer said the communities still live in fear and some people sleep atop trees. He revealed that the clashes were instigated by politicians because of the 2027 elections.
Omar accused elected leaders of using funds meant for development to provoke and fueling violence. He said the perpetrators are scot-free whilst they are supposed to be behind bars. “Our appeal to the government is not for persons to write statements but to be arrested, taken to court for conviction as no one is above the law,” he added.
On his part, CIPK Secretary General Sheikh Mohammed Dor said the Villager Cluster Program of the County Government of Tana River which is believed to be the root cause of the clashes is a noble project for all communities but the County Government should have involved the communities and the County Assembly before implementation.
He urged the government to use its security apparatus to ensure the killings do not happen again.
“What happened is all about 2027 elections, politicians want some people to be in a certain place and they want certain people not to be in some areas for numbers of votes. It is not for the benefit of the communities,” claimed Sheikh Dor.
He noted the county is endowed with large parcels of land that can accommodate all the communities and politics should not be used to kill innocent people.
By Sadik Hassan
