Assistant Minister records a statement over Tana clashes

By Cyrus Ombati

Livestock Assistant Minister Dhadho Godhana is recording a statement with the CID over Tana River clashes that claimed more than 60 lives and deaths of more than 400 animals.

The Galole MP arrived at CID headquarters in Nairobi for questioning on Thursday at about 11 am in the company of a lawyer before they went in for questioning session.

CID director Francis Muhoro confirmed to The Standard his officers were interrogating the legislator.

“We are carrying out investigations into the clashes and the minister is among those who have been mentioned. Several others including politicians will be questioned as we try to get the cause of the issue,” said Muhoro on the phone.

He said CID headquarters is complementing the Coast team that is investigating the clashes.

The CID boss added police have so far interviewed more than 10 people and charged others in court including two chiefs over the clashes.

Tension remains high in the area after an incident in which a teacher was killed in new clashes between two communities and more than 100 cows and goats stolen at the weekend.

The summoning of Godhana comes days after internal security minister Yusuf Haji ordered the CID to question him over the clashes.

But Godhana instead demanded that Haji also be investigated over the deaths.

He said he is ready to co-operate with security agencies if and when called upon for investigations to establish the truth of the matter.

Godhana said the clashes pitting Pokomo and Orma communities in the area are political.

“Even as the CID and other agencies investigate me as directed, they should also investigate the minister. He knows much that can help in knowing the truth,” said the MP.

Godhana was reacting to claims by Minister Haji who accused him of refusing to cooperate with government officials in resolving the root cause of the violence.

Godhana said Haji is an interested party in the Tana Delta crisis and cannot therefore chair a meeting to solve the issues affecting it.

He claimed the minister who is the MP for neighbouring Ijara constituency has been practicing and expansionist agenda aimed at controlling the Tana River region.

“The minister knows more on the issue and is an interested party. He cannot be the judge in this case and that is why I refused to attend his meeting,” said Godhana.

Godhana told the Standard solutions for the region’s problems will be achieved by the locals and not what he termed as outsiders. He added he is a peace loving Kenyan and a former soldier.

He said he had raised alarm over pending attacks in the area and alerted the security agencies and two principals.

The last time he raised the alarm was before 328 cows were slashed to death when they were left to graze on rice field by Orma pastoralists.

“The cows were killed when the herders went missing and the police said they did not have a place to keep them. As a minister for livestock, it pains me to see such animals die.”

 He said there are fears of more retaliatory attacks from the Ormas who are armed. The Ormas plan to retaliate on the Pokomos following the attacks that left 52 people dead.

The deaths occurred when Pokomos attacked Ormas in the area.

The conflict was triggered by fight over pasture.