The government has taken stringent security measures to contain a volatile security situation following clashes between two groups of herders that has claimed 14 lives in Marsabit County.
Marsabit Governor Ali Mohamud Mohamed and two Members of Parliament were on Wednesday grilled by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over ongoing ethnic clashes that have so far claimed 14 lives.
Governor Mohamud, Saku MP Dido Rasso and his North Horr counterpart Chachu Nganya were grilled separately by DCI officers in Embu led by Eastern Region Director of Criminal Investigation John Gacomo.
The Eastern region DCI boss said the three leaders were summoned after they were adversely mentioned as being behind the skirmishes.
The leaders accused the security teams of failing to play their role and properly handle the issues related to past and recent conflicts in Marsabit.
Three people lost their lives on Wednesday in dawn attack at Jaldesa village. According to residents, the incident was a retaliatory raid targeting women and children who had fled their homes in Qubi Qallo and Dhokatu villages on Tuesday.
Through a statement, CS Fred Matiangi observed that the skirmishes in the region were as a result of incessant political interference.
He stated that recent developments have not only exacerbated tensions, but also undermined the government’s progress in resolving the conflict and restoring normalcy.
“The government has been monitoring the security situation in Marsabit County very closely. Based on our intelligence reports, we have observed with dismay, the political interference resulting in continued skirmishes in the area,” he said.
He urged politicians in the region to abide by a 2014 peace pact, which urged all leaders to maintain peace.
“In this regard, we strongly encourage the political leadership, to abide by the Boma Peace Agreement of 2014, which urged all leaders in Marsabit to maintain peace, and recommended strong legal action against those who failed to comply.”
BREAKING: North Horr MP Chachu Ganya also arrested this morning over Marsabit clashes.
More to follow#IbseBreakfast@NancyJo84199034 pic.twitter.com/6mr0HsP1bt— IBSE Radio (@RadioIbse) October 22, 2018
Hundreds of people have fled their homes since the sporadic clashes erupted in September.
The fighting has been linked to politics, with some leaders said to be fanning violence as they position themselves for the 2022 General Election.
A contingent of police officers have since been deployed to quell the violence that has paralysed transport and business activities in the area.