Interior CS Kindiki declares 12 locations in Tana River as disturbed and dangerous

The government has declared 12 locations in Tana River as disturbed and dangerous due to insecurity.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki, in a gazette notice dated October 11, 2024, said the order, which takes effect immediately, would run for 30 days.

He said the order came as a result of a consultation with the National Security Council.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 106 (1) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, in consultation with the National Security Council, declares the following parts of Tana River County as security disturbed and dangerous,”  read the notice.

“This notice shall take effect on 11th October 2024 as from 6.30 p.m. for a period of thirty (30) days and may, at any time be withdrawn or continued in force for such further period as the Cabinet Secretary may, in each case, by notice in the Gazette direct.”

The areas affected are in Bangale Sub-County and Tana North Sub-County.

Those in Bangale are; Madogo, Areri, Saka, Sala, Mororo and Mbalambala locations while those in Tana North include Hirimani, Hosingo, Dukanotu, Chewele, Nanighi and Bura locations.

Following the directive, Inspector-General of National Police Service Douglas Kanja ordered residents in the aforementioned areas to surrender all arms to the police for safe custody.

He said that the arms shall be returned to their owners after the lapse of the one-month period.

“On the taking effect of this notice, all inhabitants of the said areas are ordered, with immediate effect, to surrender all arms in their possession to the nearest Police Station, Police Post, Police Camp and National Government Administration Offices during the hours of the day for safe custody,” stated Kanja, in the same gazette notice.

“All arms surrendered shall be returned to their owners upon the revocation or termination of this notice.”

This comes after six more people were on Thursday killed in the county, raising the death toll to 14 as communities continued to fight in the area.

The fighting between the two communities began nearly a week ago in the Anole area before spreading to other villages, including Nanighi.

Hundreds of residents from these villages have fled their homes in search of safety and refuge. Many are nursing injuries, with some fighting for their lives in various hospitals.