The North Eastern Regional Commissioner, Mr. John Otieno, has called for the cessation of clan conflict in Garissa Township and its environs, while assuring residents that security operatives have been deployed in the entire county and that the construction of Kunaso and Bukurey Police Stations is ongoing.
Otieno appealed to residents to remain calm, as the government has deployed adequate security machinery on the ground and, as such, there is no cause for alarm.
This comes in the wake of reports by residents of Waberi location, Kunaso estate, Bukurey, Boralgy, and Bulla Mzuri areas in Garissa township, and Dekaharja and Galmagala in Hulugho sub-county, where six men were killed by nine suspected bandits who were dressed in military fatigues and riding in two Toyota Probox vehicles.
Security personnel launched an operation that led to the arrest of two gunmen in possession of two AK-47 rifles, a pistol, Sh396,000, and a new Toyota Probox vehicle in Kunaso, pretending to be buying plots in the area.
Area residents promised to cooperate and furnish the security apparatus with more information about the suspects’ interests and sponsors.
Meanwhile, Muslim imams preaching during Friday Khutbah prayers in all 100 mosques in Garissa township prayed for peace and tranquility to prevail as the government embarks on efforts to nab the culprits who have killed 13 people in this month alone.
Led by the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims’ (SUPKEM) Garissa branch Sheikh Abdullahi Adan, Sheikh Ahmed Yussuf, and Sheikh Mohamed Abdiwab, the Imams said the government and the political leadership in the county are working to ensure communities living in Garissa township and the county in general don’t witness such wanton killing.
The Imams said they should never witness gun-toting militia men killing brother Muslims and condemned those sponsoring the killing of innocent people and those writing or sending audio messages on social media platforms, creating rumours and tension, saying they are both equally guilty.
The imams called on social media platform users to be careful about what they post since it might trigger the already fragile security situation on the ground in the country and abroad amongst the diaspora communities.
The clerics sent messages of condolence to the bereaved families and called on the security apparatus to track the killers and their sponsors in spite of whichever position they hold in society, pointing out that the sanctity of life is above all.
Addressing the same issue, political leaders led by Garissa Governor Nathif Jama assured the residents that peace will prevail. Others were Ijara MP Abdi Ali Sheikhow, Fafi MP Salah Yakub, Garissa Women Representative Udgoon Siyad, Azimio Nominated MP Mr. Ummelkheir Harun, Garissa Township MP Dekow Barrow, Garissa Senator Abdul Mohamed Haji, and former Ijara MP Sophia Abdi Noor, among others.
The governor recommended cessation of the excavation of gypsum in quarries unless the mining companies are licensed by the county government. He noted that land might be the cause of the killings and banned the allocation and sale of plots in the entire county, especially in the hotspot areas in Garissa township.
The leaders committed to ensuring that suspicious characters are reported to the authorities and called on the North Eastern Regional Commissioner, John Otieno, to ensure security personnel work unwaveringly to stop the wanton killings on the outskirts of Garissa township.
On the same matter, the Sultanate of the Greater Ogaden community living in Garissa County, led by Sultan Dekow Maalim Sambul, Sultan Hassan Omar Shurie, and Sultan Hamud Sheikh, also called for peace and tranquility to be observed as the culprits are brought to book, which will hopefully lead to an end to vicious killings in the area.
By Mohamed Dahir
