Forceful disarmament after 10 killed in Tana River inter-clan clashes

Coast Regional Coordinator Paul Rotich speaking at the security meeting. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO. 

The government has launched a forceful firearm disarmament exercise in Bangale subcounty in Tana River following a wave of deadly inter-community attacks that have left at least 10 people dead and scores displaced.

Members of the Wardhei and Borane clans that reside in Bangale turned against each other in violent attacks that have heightened insecurity and forced many families to flee their homes

The operation was announced during a security meeting in Madogo on Saturday.

Coast regional coordinator Paul Rotich who chaired the meeting said the government had exhausted all peaceful avenues by offering residents an amnesty to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms.

Rotich said the amnesty, which has been in place since February, failed to yield the desired results, prompting the government to take decisive action to restore peace and security in the area.

He said the government will no longer stand by as innocent lives continue to be lost.

"Residents were given an opportunity from February to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms, but many chose not to do so. That window has now closed and the government has embarked on a forceful disarmament exercise," he said.

He said restoring peace remains the government's primary responsibility.

"It is not the government's business to sit back and watch as people kill each other. Our duty is to ensure there is peace, stability and security so that citizens can go about their daily activities without fear. Every Kenyan deserves to live in peace," Rotich said.

He assured residents that security agencies will remain in the area until normalcy is fully restored.

Residents welcomed the decision, saying the continued circulation of illegal firearms has crippled economic activities and made life unbearable.

Resident Salim Barisa described the current situation as deeply regrettable, saying many families have been forced to abandon their homes.

Residents and Security officials during the security meeting./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

"It is extremely unfortunate that the situation has deteriorated to this level. People are living in fear and cannot go about their normal business. Without peace, nothing can prosper," Barisa said

Barisa urged the government to conduct a thorough and impartial disarmament exercise.

"The government should carry out a serious and forceful disarmament exercise without favour. They should spare no one, including me, if an illegal firearm is found in my house," he said.

He also challenged security agencies to investigate how the illegal firearms entered the area.

"These guns did not appear in our villages by accident. They passed through our roads before ending up in the wrong hands. Security officers must strengthen surveillance and establish how these weapons continue to find their way into our communities."

Another resident, Rukia Kuno, blamed the violence on divisions that have eroded decades of peaceful coexistence among communities.

"This is a problem we have brought upon ourselves. We have lived together as brothers, sisters and neighbours for generations. It is heartbreaking that we have now turned against one another," Rukia said.

Kuno also called on women to play a more active role in ending the violence.

"Where are the mothers and women? Why are we remaining silent as our sons, husbands and brothers engage in this madness? We must speak out because lasting peace begins with us," she said.

Fatuma Suliman appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by volunteering information that could help identify those behind the attacks and individuals keeping illegal firearms.

"What became of the love and peaceful coexistence that once united us? It is painful to see neighbours living in fear. Our hearts bleed because of what is happening," Fatuma said.

She urged residents not to shield criminals.

"We must be courageous enough to identify those we suspect are involved in these attacks and those who are illegally keeping firearms. It is only by working together with the authorities that we can restore lasting peace and stability," she said.