Harrowing tales of 1982 massacre

By ABDISALAN AHMED

Mandera County

The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission heard that security personnel killed 336 people and permanently disabled others in the 1982 Malkamari massacre.

Recounting his experience to the commission during its sitting in Mandera, Issack Maalim Mohammed said security forces killed and raped women. Mr Maalim said security personnel used the operation necessitated by inter-clan conflicts to trample on the people. "We were hounded out of our houses and forced to produce weapons. Some bought guns just to satisfy the forces," said Issack.

He said people were targeted at water points, as many hid in bushes for fear of killings. "Many people starved to death in the bush. They feared going to water points," said Issack.

Dunia Maalim Mohammed told TJRC security personnel raped women and defiled minors. The commission, in its second day of hearings in Mandera, was told during the Shifta War, people were forced into a camp in the town. Okash Mohammed Abdi told the commission the then DC held public meetings and instructed people to stay in camps or be shot.

Okash said security officers killed camels, saying they aided the movement of the shiftas. He said they were taken to Malka Suftu in Mandera, where people were killed or injured.

"At one time, this town had only 33 residents. Everyone either ran to Somalia or sought refuge in reserve parts of the county, where officers could not go," Okash claimed, displaying scars on his body to the commissioners and acting chair Tom Ojienda.

Dr Ojienda said the tales were harrowing, adding the commission would give appropriate recommendations in its report.

The commission also heard that there was police brutality in 2008. Sharif Shabure, whose leg was amputated, said police descended on people after the Mandera Central Constituency results, yet there was no cause for alarm.