By Liban Golicha
Marsabit, Kenya: Borana elders have signed a peace agreement with government after last week’s deadly confrontation between the community and security personnel in Moyale.
Moyale security officers and the community engaged in a confrontation last Wednesday leading to death of one person. Scores were injured and government property destroyed.
During a meeting chaired by Marsabit County Commissioner Isaiah Nakoru Monday, 20 elders representing the community condemned last week’s confrontation.
The elders say unplanned protests erupted in the town after some senior provincial administrators took sides in resolving community disputes.
“The administration is not impartial. They are all agents of Gabra and Burji communities,” said a former Moyale MP Guyo Halake.
The elders also condemned use of excessive force by government to quell the protest, claiming that soldiers from Odah-based military camp were deployed to disperse unarmed youth.
They criticised the move as unconstitutional, adding that soldiers used live bullets that killed one person and injured three.
The elders claimed the army was propagating internal aggression against youth entitled to protest against corrupt officers.
“We were attacked by Kenya Army and we have good evidence because all cartridges were labelled KDF (Kenya Defence Force),” stated Wako Hapi during the meeting.
Police blamed
The elders accused area Deputy County Commissioner and police divisional headquarters for tolerating corruption.
But County Commissioner Isaiah Nakoru blamed elders for inciting the protest last week.
Mr Nakoru said youth burnt the office of the assistant County Commissioner for Central Division while the Department of Youths and Sports, Land and Housing were looted.
He added that two GK lorries were stoned and windscreens smashed and the government office compound fence uprooted.
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The commissioner said he was surprised by the protest but said investigation would continue despite Monday’s agreement.
He said the government regretted the shooting of Hassan Ali who died in the riots but insisted it was accidental.
Area MP Roba Duba urged the government to deliver services impartially while handling community disputes in cosmopolitan towns such as Moyale.
He said the community wanted the soldier who shot Hassan arrested and charged with murder.
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