Wajir residents seek reparations over massacre

By Ally Jamah

Kenya: Leaders Sunday renewed calls for the Government to compensate thousands of victims of Wagalla Massacre, as Wajir County marked 30 years since the tragic incident.

Led by Wajir County Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, the leaders also called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to issue a public apology, on behalf of a previous government, under whose watch the massacre happened.

“Uhuru was not a President in 1984, but all we need him to do is to apologise for the atrocities committed by the then government. The effects of the tragedy are still fresh and painful,” he said.

“The reparations and the public apology are in line with the recommendations of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, which recognised the massacre as a crime against humanity.”

The TJRC report, which was handed to President Kenyatta in June last year, asked the Government to extend individual and collective reparations within 36 months of the issuance of the report.  But the implementation of the report is stuck in Parliament as legislators plan to open it up for debate and amendments.

The governor spoke after unveiling a monument in Wajir town inscribed with the names of some of the victims of the massacre. This’s to keep alive the memories of those who lost their lives in the hands of the State security agencies.

He said that the county government will soon begin construction of a memorial park in Wajir town, adding that the famous Orahey Park will be fenced off and preserved for the memorial of Wagalla massacre.