The government is set to conduct a forceful disarmament exercise to rid of illegal firearms in Tana River County following the lapse of a 60-day-amnesty given earlier this year.
In recent days, Tana River County has experienced frequent deadly intercommunity clashes leaving dozens of people dead, leading to the amnesty period after which the forceful disarmament to follow in a bid to eliminate possession of illegal firearms.
The latest clashes, last week involves Wardey and Degodia communities in Bangale sub county, where at least 6 people lost their lives.
The dead included the Bangale OCS who lost his life through a cardiac arrest that is highly suspected to have been aggravated by security operation that was ongoing.
Speaking at the Tana River County commissioner’s office after receiving two firearms and six rounds of ammunition which were recently surrendered voluntarily, Coast Regional Police Commander, Ali Nuno, said that the final preparations for the disarmament operation had been completed.
At the same time, Nuno warned that the government will not hesitate to arrest any person, including politicians suspected to be inciting communities to violence against each other.
“There are about six fatalities formally reported, and there are also unconfirmed reports of militia and bandits engaging themselves in the forests, still we can’t confirm the exact number but so far, the official reported figure are six fatalities including the loss of life of our OCS Bangale, which was as a result of cardiac arrest,” Nuno said.
“The government is set. The forceful disarmament will take off anytime. We had given sixty-day amnesty and immediately after the lapse of those days, there was the month of Ramadhan, and we had to look for resources as a government but now we are set. Between now and the commencement of that forceful disarmament, is a leeway for any person with a firearm to surrender. Any perpetrator of tribal and ethnic violence, and political intolerance must face the full force of the law,” he added.
Tana River county commissioner, Joseph Mwangi, on his part called for a concerted effort by all stakeholders, including community and religious leaders to find a lasting solution for peace in the county.
He warned that the government would not tolerate any conflict in the area, noting that the county was not a battlefield for inter community conflicts.
“We will continue with the process of bringing peace in Tana River County. We will bring together all the communities, all the elders and religious leaders so that we unite in restoring peace,” Mwangi said.
“What we now want is a peaceful Tana River, not just for now but all through to the next year’s general elections. Forceful disarmament is a must. We have information on some people bringing other people from other areas to fight here, this is not a battlefield. Tana River is not a place of war,” he added.
By Erick Kyalo
