Former GSU officer among 50 suspects held over Tana killings in the Klash between Orma and Pokomo

23 December 2012 | Daily Nation

IN SUMMARY

• The new wave of attacks comes even as a commission investigating the cause of clashes between two communities – Pokomo and Orma – which erupted in August when more than 100 people were killed, is yet to conclude its findings.

                         

A former GSU officer was among more than 50 people arrested on Saturdaymorning in the wake of fresh attacks in Tana River County.

Tana River county commissioner Joseph Rotich said the officer deserted duty recently.

“We also recovered one AK-47 rifle with three rounds of ammunition. The suspects are all locked up at the Gamba and Garsen police stations,” he said, adding that they arrested 56 people in the raid carried out by about 200 GSU and Administration Police officers at Ngao village.

The Thursday morning attacks at Kipao village left about 40 people dead and several others with injuries according to police.

The new wave of attacks comes even as a commission investigating the cause of clashes between two communities – Pokomo and Orma – which erupted in August when more than 100 people were killed, is yet to conclude its findings.

After Saturday’s raid, residents protested, claiming police used excessive force during the crackdown.

In an interview with the Sunday Nation, a resident, Ms Margaret Sango, said that her two sons, aged 14 and 18, were among those arrested.

“The officers just came and ordered all the women to a central place outside the village and took our sons away. This is not fair,” she said.

Another resident, Ms Margret Dima, said that her son was whisked away without her being told the reason.

“We cannot believe what we are witnessing. The officers raided a home where a funeral was being held and arrested youths who were digging the grave and the body had to be abandoned,” said Mzee Wande Dulu.

Residents fleeing

By Saturday, residents were fleeing Ngao village, saying they feared retaliatory attacks and harassment by police officers.

By the time of going to press, Coast PC Samuel Kilele and other top security officers had arrived at Garsen and were about to leave for Kipao village.

At the same time, a coast human rights lobby group has called for the end of ethnic rivalry and killings in the area.

Human Rights Agenda executive director Yusuf Lule said it was a disappointment that in the midst of a judicial inquiry and peace initiatives in the region, communities were engaged in animosity and rivalry.

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