Uhuru Kenyatta warns government will use force to end Mandera clashes

By PPS

NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned that the Government will use force if peace is not restored between the warring Garreh and Degodia clans in Mandera County.

President Uhuru also warned that the Government will take stern action against those fueling hostilities between communities in Mandera and Wajir counties.

The Head of State also directed immediate surrender and mop up of illegal firearms in the two counties warning that his Government will have no choice but mount a massive security operation that may have unintended consequences.

“If the hostilities do not end, we will have no otherwise but to move in with full force,” President Uhuru said on Monday

He added that the killings of innocent children, women and the elderly cannot be tolerated.

Over 20 people have been killed since Friday in clashes in Mandera and Wajir counties.

President Uhuru was speaking at State House Nairobi when he met political leaders from Mandera and Wajir to discuss the conflict between the Garreh and Degodia clans.

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He said his Government will engage the Ethiopian Government to ensure the peaceful co-existence of all communities along the common border.

The President also warned chiefs in Mandera and Wajir counties that they will be held responsible if they fail to take action and provide adequate and timely information that will help in containing acts of breach of peace.

He asked leaders from both communities to impress on the two clans to co-exist peacefully as Kenyans while the Government does its part.

President Uhuru added that the Government will accord the leaders all the necessary facilitation required in ending the hostilities and directed the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Joseph Ole Lenku who was present, to immediately take the necessary
steps in this regard.

On their part, the leaders who included Members of the National Assembly, Members of Senate and governors among others said peace meetings have been held in a bid to end the violence.

 They said they resolved that the hostilities between the two clans should cease immediately and each community must restrain its members from perpetrating any more acts of violence, failure to which will lead to a communal fine of Sh10 million.

The leaders said they had also agreed that payment of blood compensation (diyya) should commence with immediate effect and there should be peace without preconditions.

They also resolved that they must all take responsibility of their areas in the promotion of peace, equity, fairness and justice.

The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr. Francis Kimemia, Kenya Red Cross Secretary-General Dr. Abbas Gullet and top security officers led by Inspector General David Kimaiyo.