By Mutinda Mwanzia and James Ratemo

The joint military operation in Mandera District has come under sharp scrutiny after allegations of torture surfaced.

And this after the operation was criticised by Muslim leaders in Nairobi who called for the withdrawal of military officers sent to quell the inter-clan fighting.

Ibrahim Abdi Salam is given a drip orally by a relative at El-Wak in Mandera Central District Hospital after failing to get a doctor to attend to him. Photo: Andrew Kilonzi/Standard

The National Muslim Leaders Forum (Namlef) said the operation had spread terror in the district, with Namlef chairman Abdullahi Abdi claiming on Wednesday that military personnel were rounding up and terrorising innocent civilians.

At dawn on Tuesday, army and police officers are reported to have invaded Elwak and Wargadad areas, flushing out residents with whips and kicks while demanding weapons.

Tears and agony abound as those rounded up were flogged and forced to walk on their knees over long distances as part of torture to produce illegally held arms.

At Elwak District Hospital, which has a 32-bed capacity, 112 people were admitted with injuries. According to Dr Fred Otsyena, most suffered soft tissue injuries to the back and buttocks inflicted by whipping.

Pupils narrated how teachers were whipped in a bid to force them divulge the location of hidden guns. A woman, six-months pregnant, and two others narrated how officers allegedly raped them in the dawn raid.

But North Eastern PPO Stephen Chelimo denied claims police used force, stressing that the operation would continue until they disarmed all militias.

Chelimo showed journalists 48 firearms, 1,224 rounds of ammunition and 6 grenades, 3 communication sets, one rocket propeller, military uniform and assortment of unidentified drugs allegedly recovered from the operation.

Thousands of residents have fled into the interior fearing further terror from the officers now camped in the area.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) has sounded an alert over a humanitarian crisis in Mandera.

On Wednesday, KRC Secretary-General Abbas Gullet said the district was also facing severe drought, which has left more than 115,000 people dependent on relief aid.

He said the military personnel and attacks by bandits had hampered operations of his team in the district.

"Most aid agencies have suspended operations due to security concerns," noted Gullet.

He urged security teams involved in stemming the clan conflicts to respect personnel from aid agencies, who are impartial and independent.

"We, therefore, call upon the Government to halt the military operation and let religious leaders initiate peace talks," he said.

Some residents claimed the military had injured many during the operation to recover arms.