MPs due in court over Marsabit ethnic clashes

North Horr Member of Parliament Chachu Ganya and his Saku counterpart Dido Rasso are expected in court Tuesday to face various charges over the inter-ethnic conflict in Marsabit.

The two legislators spent the night in police cells following their arrest for allegedly fanning the clashes that have left at least 14 people dead in the county.

They were arrested on Monday in Marsabit and driven to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Headquarters in Nairobi to record statements on their alleged involvement in the clashes.

A section of leaders from the area however protested the arrest and claimed that the two MPs had attended meetings in which local leaders had pledged to support peace-building efforts.

Police patrol Moyale town in Marsabit County on December 12, 2013 amid relative calm

On Monday the politicians from Northern Kenya led by Bura MP Ali Wario accused the security officials of derailing the peace process in the county and called on the government to support the process of bringing the two warring communities together.

Isiolo Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa defended the MPs, saying they are not to blame for the clashes.

Nominated Senator Naomi Wako called on the government to intervene and ensure students from that area are not affected even as they prepare for their examination.

Last week, Marsabit Governor Ali Mohamed and the two MPs were separately interrogated by DCI officers in Embu led by Eastern Region Director of Criminal Investigation John Gacomo.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has said intelligence reports had established that politicians were fanning the violence, warning that stern action would be taken against the culprits.

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