- A section of MPs from the Northern Kenya has condemned the ongoing skirmishes.
- The leaders appealed for government intervention to bring to an end the inter-clan conflicts that scores of people killed.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
A section of MPs from Northern Kenya has condemned the ongoing skirmishes in Marsabit county amid escalating clashes in the expansive county.
The leaders appealed for government intervention to bring to an end the inter-clan conflicts that scores of people killed.
Led by nominated Senators Falhada Iman and Naomi Waqo and Isiolo woman rep Jaldesa Rehema, they appealed to the state to swiftly move into action and save lives.
They called on stakeholders including local leaders, to preach peace among warring sides to calm the clashes and restore peace.
“We urge the security team to bring to book the perpetrators, financiers, schemers and executors of these savage acts of violence,” Senator Iman said.
Addressing journalists at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, the leaders urged Police Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai to quickly deploy a multi-agency team to prevent further loss of lives and destruction.
“We call upon the residents of Marsabit County and especially Saku Constituency to heed call for ceasefire and embrace dialogue that has spearheaded by the NCIC in partnership with peace and security actors,” they said in a joint statement read by Iman.
The leaders said several lives have been lost, livelihoods destroyed and livestock killed in the deteriorating clashes.
Marsabit has witnessed incessant communal clashes, leading to losses of lives and damage to property especially in Saku constituency.
At least eight people have been killed in the last one week by unknown bandits in Marsabit, they said.
The leaders spoke a day after 14 people were reportedly killed and five others injured in a 12-hour gunfight between herders and suspected bandits in Suiyan, Samburu county.
The politicians have also called on residents and leaders to refrain from making inflammatory language and statements be it online and offline that may contribute to further polarization of communities and escalation.
“We note with concern the incitement on social media platforms particularly on the Facebook by young people and we urge them to desist from this bad habit,” they said.
“We implore you to use social media to promote peace,” the leaders added.
The leaders called on the national and county government of Marsabit and other stakeholders to move in and support the internally displaced persons.
Senator Waqo called on the devolved unit to stop all development and infrastructural projects and focus in addressing the conflict so as to ensure peace achieved.
"“We urge all our county Governments and especially our Governors, please put aside your development projects for now," Waqo said.
"They [should] concentrate and give attention on the killings that are happening and make sure that we give peace and stability to our people,” she added.
Jaldesa said the clashes appear politically instigated and urged the state to investigate politicians out to incite residents for their selfish gains.
Nandi senator Samson Cherargei said, "The senseless killings in Marsabit must stop. Under Article 26, every Kenyan has a right to life."