By Cyrus Ombati
At least three more villagers have been killed in fresh attacks targeting Tana Delta region even as more police officers and senior government officials were flown there.
Reports say the attacks took place in Semikaro and Nduru areas and several houses were torched. The attack that was targeting both the Orma and Pokomos happened at about 7am on Tuesday, just after the dusk to dawn curfew imposed by President Kibaki on Monday night.
The attack took place ahead of the arrival of senior government officials led by acting internal security minister Yusuf Haji, commissioner of police Mathew Iteere, acting Administration Police commandant Samuel Arachi, CID director Ndegwa Muhoro and head of National Intelligence Services Michael Gichangi.
The officials are expected to visit the Tana Delta on Tuesday where clashes that left some 38 people including nine police officers dead in Monday's attack.
Haji and Iteere are expected to hold rallies in the area together with the local leaders as part of efforts to tame the violence that has so far claimed more than 100 people in less than a month.
Iteere flew there Monday evening but did not stay for long and he flew back to Malindi where he spent the night.
Iteere said he wanted to witness the situation on the ground and understand the logistics that his officers want to be able to contain the situation.
He added he wanted to appraise himself with the logistical support and reinforcement required for the police formations deployed in the area to pursue the raiders and bring them to book.
It will be the first time that Haji who is the MP for neighbouring Ijara constituency will be visiting the area. He has been accused by some local leaders as being part of the problem facing the Tana Delta.
Police say they are pursuing new leads into those behind the violence and indicate the attacks have turned political.
President Kibaki ordered a dusk to dawn curfew and deployment of officers in a bid to tame the violence. But his order could be misguided given the past attacks have taken place during day time.
For instance, Iteere said the Monday attacks occurred at about 8.30am when armed raiders estimated at about 300 attacked Kilelengwani village, Kipini Division in Tana River County.
“Police officers deployed in the area immediately responded to the attack. Unfortunately 9 police officers died during a shootout after they were ambushed by the raiders,” said Iteere.
This is the second time that Iteere who was flanked by several other officers are visiting the scene of the attack. When 53 other villagers were butchered and burnt in a similar manner last month he flew there and announced a police division would be opened and more police officers deployed to the area.
The new Tana Delta police division was yet to be opened and officers on the ground said the attack was eminent but they lacked the tools and other logistics to contain it.
Officers on the ground had been complaining of being neglected with no vehicles to help them operate effectively. Others claimed they had been ordered not to use bullets in trying to quell the violence, which perhaps explains why nine of them were killed.
Officers who flew with Iteere said they expect him to issue a stern warning to the warring factions and allow police officers to defend themselves in case of attacks.
“We will not witness similar incidents again in the region,” said a senior officer.
Monday’s killings were a revenge by Pokomos who were retaliating the killing of 13 of their kin last Friday by Ormas. At least 53 Ormas had earlier on been butchered in similar attacks.
The development attracted condemnation from online readers who demanded that President Kibaki takes action to tame further deaths.