Five politicians from Tana River County have been summoned to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Monday for questioning regarding allegations of inciting conflict between two communities, which has resulted in the deaths of 14 people within a week. This summons followed a tragic escalation in violence, with six more fatalities reported on Thursday, just days after eight others were killed.
The politicians summoned include Tana River County Woman Representative Amina Dika Abdullahi, former Woman Representative Rehema Hassan, Bura MP Yakub Adow Kuno, Galole MP Hiribae Said Buya, and Bangale Ward Representative Jibril Mahamud Farah.
In the wake of the unrest, hundreds of residents have fled their homes, leaving behind abandoned properties, and schools in the area have been closed. Herders are struggling to find water for their livestock after being displaced. “Since this violence started, we have all fled and are scared… All the shops have been destroyed,” shared a victim, Dahab Abdala. Another victim added, “Children have fled from schools, teachers are sleeping in the forest, and the exams are approaching.”
Tana River County Governor Godhana Dhadho attributed the unrest to politicians opposing the creation of additional municipalities. He stated, “The situation was hyped that there were beatable issues from the word go. As some tried to move, others insisted they could not move. Hapa ni kwetu, hapa si kwenu. Instead of being part of the solution, politicians started mobilizing people towards their side at that time.”
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat warned that police are in the final stages of preparing to arrest several suspects linked to the inter-clan clashes. “Those people who are fueling those clashes, I can assure you that tutawakamata wanaochochea hivi karibuni and they will face the full force of the law,” Lagat stated.
The conflict is believed to have erupted after the Tana River County government allocated land to flood victims from the Tana River to higher areas. This decision sparked complaints from the local herding community, who claimed that the land was vital for grazing and served as a water source for their livestock.
In response to the escalating violence, Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki declared 12 locations across Bangale and Tana North sub-counties in Tana River as disturbed and dangerous due to insecurity. Following this directive, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered residents in these areas to surrender all arms to the police for safe custody.
