Tana River clashes: Five politicians summoned over incitement after 14 people killed

Five politicians from Tana River County have been summoned to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Monday for questioning regarding allegations of inciting conflict between two communities which has led to the deaths of 14 people within a week.

The summon came a few hours after six more people were killed on Thursday, only a few days after eight others had been killed.

The five politicians include Tana River County Woman Representative Amina Dika Abdullahi, former Woman Representative Rehema Hassan, Bura MP Yakub Adow Kuno, Galole MP Hiribae Said Buya, and Bangale Ward Representative Jibril Mahamud Farah.

Hundreds of people continue fleeing the unrest, leaving behind abandoned homes, and schools have been closed because of the ongoing unrest in Bangale Sub-County.

Herders continue to struggle to find water for their livestock after fleeing their homes.

"Since this violence started, we have all fled and are scared... All the shops have been destroyed,” said Dahab Abdala, a victim.

"Children have fled from schools, teachers are sleeping in the forest and the exams are approaching," added another victim.

Tana River County Governor Godhana Dhadho insists that the unrest was incited by politicians opposed to the creation of additional municipalities.

“The situation was hyped that there were beatable issues from the word go. As some tried to move, others insisted they could not move. Hapa ni kwetu, hapa si kwenu. Instead of being part of the solution, politicians started mobilising people towards their side at that time,” Governor Dhadho said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat warned that the police are in the final stages before arresting several suspects in connection with the inter-clan clashes.

“Those people who are fueling those clashes, I can assure you that tutawakamata wanaochochea hivi karibuni and they will face the full force of the law,” said Lagat.

The conflict is said to have erupted after the Tana River County government allocated land to flood victims from the Tana River to higher areas.

This move led to complaints from the local herding community, who claimed that the land was used for grazing and was a water source for their livestock.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki has since declared 12 locations – drawn across Bangale and Tana North sub counties - in Tana River as disturbed and dangerous due to insecurity.

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