Marsabit CC James Kamau, addressing journalists on Monday following the death of four people. Kamau has confirmed that 18 suspects linked to the violence have been arrested. Photo: Angaaf Radio Facebook.
The government has arrested 18 suspects linked in inciting violence in Dukana area, North Horr constituency, Marsabit county, that led to the death of four people.
During the security operation in the area, 145 stolen goats during the conflict witnessed earlier this week in the area were recovered, as confirmed by Marsabit County Commissioner James Kamau, who addressed journalists from his office on Thursday, May 22.
Kamau said that so far calm has returned in Dukana area, while urging residents of the area to cooperate with security agencies to further enhance the ongoing security operation.
Kamau further said that the search for illegal weapons is still ongoing as the recovered weapons are believed to have been used in executing crime and violence in the area. Four notorious suspects directly linked to violence were arrested during the operation.
He further said that the subcounty security team has received reinforcement from Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and National Police Service (NPS), to ensure those suspects linked to the violence are arrested.
“We have recovered 145 goats, and the operation is on top-gear to ensure that the rest are also recovered. We have also arrested 18 suspects including four prime ones whose preliminary investigations indicated that they are directly linked to that crime. Efforts to apprehend the rest is ongoing. we have dispatched DCI, NPS and APS to compliment the efforts being done by the subcounty security to ensure that all the suspects named are arrested,” Kamau confirmed.
He further disclosed that approximately 766 people have been displaced, 624 from the Dukana area while 142 from the Saru area, making a total of 143 families displaced in Dukana subcounty.
However, Kamau said that the national government and Marsabit County government have been able to donate food relief to the area, while calling on various stakeholders to assist in providing assistance to the displaced residents. He confirmed that the government will be able to provide enough supplies to the victims soon.
“The office of the governor has provided 100 bags of rice and 20 cartoons of cooking oil, while the national government has provided 55 bags of beans and 30bags of rice. We are requesting partners to donate both food and non-food staffs to the displaced affected families, as the county looks for alternatives to have them settled,” Kamau added.
Kamau also reiterated that the security department is working closely with peace stakeholders in North Horr constituency, to bring lasting peace, while challenging politicians to refrain from spreading hate speech among citizens in Marsabit County.
The report comes as Marsabit County governor Mahmoud Ali, calls for promotion of peace in the county that has been since the August 2022 general elections.
