Governor Abdi asks Northeastern residents to remain peaceful

Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi has urged Northern Kenya residents to remain peaceful before during and after the August polls.

Abdi spoke on Monday in Garseqoftu, Wajir West, where he led leaders in condoling with families who lost their loved ones in a bandit attack.

Recently an unknown number of bandits attacked a homestead of pastoralists from Garseqoftu near Merti around the border of Isiolo and Wajir counties.

They killed seven people and drove away more than 200 camels. One of the bodies is still missing.

The governor said no life should be lost. He added that residents should be on the forefront in denouncing war mangers and inciters.

“I want to reiterate my appeal to the people from both counties to be peace ambassadors," he said.

He also said Wajir and Isiolo leaders should preach peace from their respective ends and join hands in addressing issues that trigger clashes and banditry.

The governor said residents from neighboring counties should remain peaceful during the electioneering period.

Wajir has had border issues with Garissa, Marsabit and Isiolo. The problem escalates during the electioneering period.

The clashes are mostly due to resource-based conflicts and border disputes.

They have resulted in the loss of lives, displacement and destruction of property.

The governor also distributed food and initiated a water trucking exercise to mitigate against adverse effects of the drought.

He said it is important that communities with a history of clan clashes resolve their challenges peacefully.

Abdi said the communities should share the limited resources peacefully.

He said even though drought ravages and resources are diminishing by day, that should not trigger conflicts.

“Our people are pastoralists and are bound to look for greener pasture and water. However, in areas with good vegetation cover clashes emerge mostly as a result of inter-county border grassing,” Abdi said.

The governor said this should not happen as residents should learn to share the little that is available.

Abdi also thanked the security apparatus for their concerted efforts in maintaining peace.

He however said they need to help them recover the missing body, animals and apprehend the perpetrators of the bandit attack.

Abdi Hassan an elder said the national government should promptly investigate the matter and to bring the perpetrators to book.

He said the state needs to provide security to citizens living in the insecurity-prone areas.

“Residents and the leaders must be honest and genuine in our quest to find a lasting solution to perennial conflicts that have claimed the lives of hundreds of our people,” Hassan said.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)