One shot during protests as Marsabit-Wajir border land dispute escalates

The protesters are demanding the release of the elders and the halting of construction of a multi-agency security camp until the dispute is resolved.

In the meantime, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that there are ongoing talks with leaders from both counties to find a lasting solution to the land dispute.

It was running battles between security personnel and irate residents in Saku, Moyale and Sololo sub-counties in Marsabit County as the dispute over the ownership of land in the Titu area escalated.

Both Wajir and Marsabit counties are claiming ownership of the parcel of land earmarked for the construction of a multi-agency security camp.

“Our community is suffering because of land grabbing and our government is silent and we don't know why they are silent,” stated Abdulaziz.

“Ardhi ile ni mali ya jamii yetu si mali ambayo ni ya kuchukuliwa na wavamizi kwa kutumia njia ya mabavu,” stated Galm Guyo.

Heavy protests have been witnessed in the area since Sunday following the arrest of the two leaders who were arraigned on Monday and detained for 10 days over allegations of being linked to a militia group, claims the community disputes.

One person has been hospitalised after sustaining a gunshot wound during the protests.

“We further condemn the abduction and continued detention of former Chief Dabassa Dambi and elder Guracha Dambala on what we believe are politically motivated terrorism charges aimed at silencing the grievances of our community. We are equally disturbed by the silence, inaction, and indifference of the Marsabit County Commissioner in the wake of the escalating tension,” stated Guyo Kacharo.

Naomi Jilo Waqo visited the contested site and strongly condemned what she termed as the misuse of government machinery to intimidate her community from opposing the construction.

“Uache mambo ya kutafuta vita. Sisi ni wandugu, sisi tunapenda amani na nakuomba. You have mobilized every government agency against our people. Nakuomba kaa kwa boundary yako na wacha watu wetu wakae kwa boundary yao,” stated Naomi Jilo.

“We demand immediate cessation of all illegal construction activities, respect of the rights of the people of Marsabit, and immediate release of all people arbitrarily arrested and detained,” stated Guyo Kacharo.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has however confirmed efforts to find an amicable solution to the dispute.

“I have been speaking to the leaders in both counties and we want to make sure that our people live in peace and that the situation in Basir and any other situation in that area should not escalate conflict and we will sort out that issue,” stated Murkomen.