Insecurity soars in Wajir, Mandera despite peace pact, Uhuru directive

By Abdikadir Sugow

WAJIR, KENYA: Hostilities between the Garre and Degodia clans have worsened the insecurity situation in North Eastern despite concerted efforts for a jointly signed peace accord.

Yesterday, three people were killed and two others seriously injured in a grenade attack, despite a directive from President Uhuru Kenyatta to security agents to curb lawlessness in the region.

The Head of State warned that the Government would take stern action against those who continue to fuel hostilities and asked residents of Mandera and Wajir counties to surrender illegal firearms which have blamed for fuelling the conflict.

The President also warned chiefs in both counties that they will be held responsible if they fail to take action and provide adequate and timely information that will help avert attacks.

The Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo summoned all leaders from the two counties to record a statement with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

“We have realised that the attacks and killings are just sporadic; no robbery with violence or cases of cattle rustling are being reported,” Mr Kimaiyo said, adding: “Our intelligence gathering reports indicate that the conflicts are politically instigated and some of these groups are receiving funding from their respective leaders to fuel this violence.”

Conflict between the two clans has been ongoing for over two years now, despite a number of intervention measures undertaken, including a mediation process by religious leaders. Following the continued hostilities and violence between the two clans, local politicians are trying to reinforce the ongoing intervention by the religious leaders.

Communal fine

Consequently, a three-day peace mediation meeting was conducted at the Red Court Hotel, Nairobi from June 21 to 23, and attended by political leaders, religious leaders as well as the conflicting parties.

However, the mediation peace talks facilitated by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the National Steering Committee for Peace Building at the Office of the President have not borne any fruit as the violence continued with the killing of three people yesterday.

During a meeting with the President at State House, Nairobi the Garre and Degodia leaders agreed to adhere to eight-point peace plan.

The plan calls for an end to hostilities between the two clans and each community to restrain its members from perpetrating acts of violence, failure to which will lead to the imposition of 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 pre-conditions.

They also resolved that they must all take responsibility of their areas to promote peace, equity, fairness and justice. The leaders assured the President that they would convene more meetings and promote dialogue among the two communities with a view of ending the conflict.

The leaders also agreed to accept results of the 2013 elections while awaiting the outcome of petitions. Peaceful coexistence between all communities (big or small) was demanded as well as inclusivity in social, economic and political affairs of the country for all communities residing in the county.

All elected political leaders  agreed that the government undertakes measures to help achieve peace in the region. Adequate security officers are to be deployed in Mandera County and the areas alongside the Mandera/Wajir border.

All Garre and Degodia security officers to be transferred from Mandera and the border areas between the two counties and a full-scale disarmament exercise conducted in Mandera and in Tarbaj and Eldas constituencies of Wajir.