Kimaiyo visits clash-torn Tana River

By CYRUS OMBATI

Tana, Kenya: The new Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo on Wednesday visited Tana River in his first assignment as a police boss. 

Kimaiyo who is accompanied by Internal Security Minister Katoo ole Metito and PS Mutea Iringo, Administration Police Commandant Samuel Arachi and Director of CID Ndegwa Muhoro  is expected to chair a security meeting in the area that last week saw blood inter-communal clashes that left 45 villagers dead. 

The head of police operations Njue Njagi and Coast provincial security team are also accompanying the Kimaiyo.

It is not clear what new instructions they are set to give to the locals as part of strategies to address the menace, which has reoccurred in three months now leaving more than 150 people dead.

Pokomos and Ormas have in the past months been killing each other in retaliatory attacks that have attracted international attention.

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Kimaiyo told The Standard he is determined to ensure the clashes end and urged police officers in operational areas to continue working with patriotism.

"We are determined to end these senseless attacks not only in Tana River but in any other operational areas," he said.

The visit by Kimaiyo marks the first beginning of his journey of four years as the head of both regular and Administration Police. 

He was sworn into office on Monday as Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere announced he had retired from office.