Governor Hussein Dado has visited Ozi village in Kipini East Ward for the first time since his election to check on residents still recovering from the 2012/2013 tribal violence between ethnic Orma and Pokomo tribes.
Ozi, alongside Riketa and Kilelengwani villages, was one of the most violent battle fields between ethnic militias where hundreds of local residents were displaced due to months of murder and arson. Tribal tensions remain raw.
Nine General Service Unit (GSU) officers were killed by militiamen and their guns stolen. More than 80 residents lost their lives.
Yesterday, Mr Dado flew to Ozi by helicopter accompanied by top security officers. He appealed to residents to co-exist peacefully. He promised to reconstruct the dilapidated Odha–Ozi Road to ease transportation of food and other produce to the market.
Health facility
He also pledged to improve the local health facility and provide medical staff to the area to replace those who fled during the violence.
Dado appealed to parents to monitor the movement of their children so that they do not join terrorist and separatist groups like Al Shabaab and the Mombasa Republican Council.
“I will not compromise with anyone on security for the mere reason of winning an election. The Pokomo and Orma must live together in peace. Who among you has applied to God for the two communities to come and live together?” he posed.
Tana Delta Sub-County commissioner Mike Kimoko told the governor that peace had been restored in the area.
Mr Kimoko also said a police post had been established in the area following the outbreak of the violence.
Local elders led by a retired civil servant, Rashid Ramadhan, promised to maintain peace but asked the county and national governments to initiate development in the region.
