David Muchui; June 2009
Proliferations of firearms, political self seekers, propaganda, unequal distribution of resources, poor leadership and tribal chauvinism have all been blamed for the recurrent insecurity in Isiolo County.
What used to be referred as a cattle rustling culture among pastoralist communities is going out of hand with the bandits armed with sophisticated firearms taking over local game reserves.
Several of peace forums and meetings have been held to unveil the actual cause of the frequent conflicts which has claimed many lives and loss of property and thousands of livestock and temporary eviction of over 5000 residents.
Businesses have stalled, tourism in local game reserves has been crippled and relief food distribution occasionally delayed causing agony to hunger stricken residents.
The matter has been aggravated by tribal sentiments where every community believes that the other is an enemy. This is evidenced by the arming of 300 homeguards in Isiolo with the idea of defending communities in Isiolo against the Samburu bandits.
Instead of beefing up security in the district, the firearms are said to have created a rift between some communities in Isiolo after the exercise turned to be manipulated by some leaders to sideline one community.
The homeguards have been accused of using the gun discriminately in favor of their respective communities rather than serving the residents of Isiolo with impartiality.
Isiolo DC James Kamau and OCPD Marius Tum have already warned that the government is monitoring the use of the arms and may withdraw them from the guards on establishment of the allegations.
According to the police boss 25 guns have been withdrawn after questions were raised on the character of the bearers.
The matter further raises eyebrows as some of the chiefs alleged to be in the dark about the residents and more so the names of those issued with the government firearms to ensure security.
Some of the residents affected by attacks at Burat in Isiolo West location claim that the attackers are planning to evict them from the area due to its proximity to the modern slaughterhouse and Isiolo River which makes the area conducive for irrigation.
Area MP Mohamed Kuti points out that the communities in the district have been fighting a common enemy together since last year and blames the woes on premature campaigns by self seeking politicians.
He points the problem to top leaders who have divided residents in tribal lines warning the people against such leaders.
However, the MP does not go without blame as the elders put him to task over neglecting the constituency leaving the constituents for the dogs, a blame he seems to concede while citing many commitments due to his ministerial docket.
Dr Kuti notes that the years of peace have seen the area go through remarkable transformation in terms of development citing growth of banking industry, transport and health and education.
The catholic head father Anthony Mathenge does not mince his words over the insecurity; he cites poor leadership and discrimination of some communities as the inciters of conflicts.
Father Mathenge says the Catholic Church is opposed to the issuance of guns toKenyapolice reservists. He wonders, “What is the work of the police if we arm civilians!”
He says the conflict is more than cattle rustling and needs urgent measures to avert tragedies.
The OCPD says that propaganda is a major setback to achievement of peace in the area and warns that those who give false information will be dealt with accordingly.
He notes that wrong information has been used by criminals to mislead police officers to enable them commit crimes adding that some incidences have led to death of police officers.
According to the Isiolo peace and conflict resolution committee chairman Mr Hassan Galma, all the meetings done by local leaders and peace elders have nothing to show since every conclave is followed by an attack.
He says there is lack of commitment on the side of leaders to see the end of the conflicts citing the manner in which the cases are resolved as unsatisfactory.
Mr Galma recommends prosecution of those apprehended with stolen property adding that paying back alone was promoting the vice of cattle rustling.
On the other hand, as the peace and conflict chair wonders at the fruitless peace meetings, some of the leaders blame the very committee that should cultivate peace of fuelling conflicts and partiality in handling upcoming issues.
IsioloDCwarns that the government is aware of plans by warring communities to gang up with other communities to avenge the death of some of their own in the recent attacks.
The DC recommends frequent meetings between the elders of warring communities to mend their differences for peaceful coexistence.
Garba Tulla DO1 Mr Philip Koima cautions the residents of Kula Mawe about the consequences of war noting that they have ever experienced the highs and lows of security operations in the past.
A Kula Mawe elder Mr Wako Gollo disputes the allegation that they are raising funds and offering animals to support retaliatory attacks against another community.
“We are forced to use a long route of over 200 kms to Isiolo throughMauasince Isiolo-Garbatulla highway is infested with armed gangs.” laments Mariam Sereka a resident of Kula Mawe.
According to Mr Wako, the government should be carrying out a security operation in areas where armed gangs are said to be hiding arguing that the government knows their hideout.
He alleges that over 500 armed youths from one of the communities in Isiolo is hiding out in Galfarsa in readiness for attack.
Residents of Daaba which has received criticism for harboring and supporting criminals are fast to ward off the blame arguing that they have been victims of the attacks.
Here, the DC warns against any criminal alliances which he says will be punished accordingly.
Dependants of tourist business at Letungai manyattas along SarovaShabagame reserve road have felt the pinch of the conflict with their curio artifacts lacking buyers.
Gerishon Lenamoi an elder at the Manyatta expresses fear that the situation if not brought under control may leave their plates empty since the business is their prime source of income.
In a bid to curb further crime, the chiefs and assistant chiefs have been directed to give a list of all suspects and bearers of illegal fire arms in their areas for further investigations and prosecution.
Even as normalcy picks up, there is still bad blood among the conflicting communities.
However, increased security patrols by an increased number of security officers gives a glimmer of hope to what was once gloomy circumstances.
According to the DC, every police post has been added the number of police officers to beef up security.
And Tigania east DC Saul Moywaywa says that a DO’s office will be put up at Gambela which straddles Isiolo and Tigania east common border and where 6 people were killed in order to tighten security.
Mr Kamau says that the main task at hand now is uniting the communities, mopping up of illegal arms and eradication of tribalism if development is to be achieved.
“A lot of resources are wasting every day in meeting insecurity matters a phenomenon which should change in favour of development agenda given that many projects are to be implemented in the district among them upgrading of Isiolo town into a resort city,” says the new administrator.
The development strategies envisioned by the vision 2030 calls for every leader and resident to put their differences aside for faster implementation.
Ends