Garissa MCAs raise alarm over abductions

A section of MCAs from Garissa have raised concern over the increasing cases of disappearance that they claim are orchestrated by security forces.

The MCAs are now calling for the immediate release of all the missing persons, saying that the cases have gone on for far too long.

Addressing the press at the Garissa Assembly on Saturday, the MCAs led by Abdirahman Ali Sheikh (Liboi ward), said despite the local leadership raising the alarm over the same, "nothing seems to change".

“We are here to raise our serious concerns about the enforced disappearance and extra judicial killings of our people which unfortunately have become a norm in this part of the country,” Sheikh said.

He said their numerous efforts to follow up with the relevant authorities have not borne fruit, and instead, the number of missing persons keep increasing.

“As I am  speaking to you a fortnight ago a young Abdihakim, a taxi driver from my ward, was picked from his homestead by people believed to be security officers," Sheikh said.

"To date he is yet to traced. This has caused a lot of anxiety to not only the family members but residents at large who fear for their lives not knowing who will be picked next.”

Those abducted this year include Abdihakim Mohamed and Jama Adan who disappeared in April, Osman Yussuf in February while Djibril Abdullahi and Hareth Adan were abducted two months ago.

A senior officer who spoke to the Star in confidence confirmed that relatives to the five had filed reports at the police station, but declined to comment further on the matter.

Baraki ward MCA Hassan Dahir called on President William Ruto to personally intervene and not only bring the disappearances to a stop, but also have the missing persons produced.

Dahir accused the administration of double-speak, saying they have not kept their campaign pledge.

“The current Kenya Kwanza government promised to put to an end forced disappearance and extra judicial killings of Muslims and Somalis across the region. It is one of the reasons why we overwhelmingly voted for President Ruto,” Dahir said.

"The information we have is that all the missing persons are always abducted by the security persons. Our appeal to the President is please stop these atrocities against our people because its doing more harm than good in the fight against terror,” he added.

Dadaab MCA Mohamed Abdi said residents are finding themselves caught in between sides.

Abdi said while Al Shabaab harasses residents, accusing them of collaborating with the government which they are fighting against, the administration is orchestrating abductions and extra judicial killings of their people.

Communities’ fundamental rights and freedom must be respected, Abdi said, adding that local leadership will continue to speak up against injustices.

Garissa Township MCA Hussein Dagane said it was wrong for security apparatus to hold people in custody for more than seven days without charging them in a court of law.

“We will continue raising alarm and asking the government to stop treating our people like second class citizens. All we want to know is the whereabouts of these young men. If they are at fault let them be taken to court and be subjected through the judicial system,” he said.

Speaking separately after a meeting with the MCAs, ODM nominated MP Umulkheir Harun said despite the promise by the government to bring the issues to an end, they continue to happen.

In November last year, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the government was determined to bring cases of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearance to an end.

Kindiki said it was in the Kenya Kwanza’s manifesto to bring an end to extrajudicial killings in the country, where people have allegedly been arrested by police and disappear without trace.

The CS  said they will not condone extrajudicial killings or related processes that are likely to harm citizens in the fight against terrorism.