Former GSU officer among 65 suspects

BY? JOSEPH? MASHA??

At least 65 suspects, including a former GSU officer who deserted duty in 2010, have been arrested in Ngao village in Tana Delta.

More than 200 General Service Unit officers raided Ngao village, which is inhabited by the Pokomo and arrested dozens of men.

But the police raid is raising doubts amid reports that the Orma who lost most kin on Friday were planning to retaliate. Other reports indicate the rival communities were fleeing their homes to safer areas as the death toll rose to 45. Tana River County Commissioner Joseph Rotich said by yesterday, 31 people from the Orma community had been confirmed dead while about 10 are believed to have been raiders from the Pokomo.

GSU operation commandant Anthony Kamitu said the officers recovered one AK-47 rifle, three bullets, spears, arrows and bows believed to have been used in the attack.

“In our raid at Ngao village we managed to arrest 65 suspects among them a former GSU officer who deserted?work in 2010 and recovered an AK-47 rifle, three bullets and weapons like bows, arrows and spears,” said Mr Kamitu while addressing journalists in Garissa yesterday.

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The commandant said the AK-47 rifle which is suspected to have been used in the attack at Kipao village was found hidden in a farm near Ngao village. Rotich said the suspects are being held at Gamba Police Station and will be arraigned in court next week.

Villagers accused GSU officers of harassment during the operation at Ngao village and claimed they forcefully took away men from their houses.