NCIC summons Tana River leaders over allegations of inciting violence

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned two leaders from Tana River County over accusations of inciting violence and stoking ethnic tensions among residents.

The move comes as tensions continue to escalate along the border between Tana River and Kitui counties.

In a letter, the NCIC instructed Said Buya Hiribae, the Member of Parliament for Galole Constituency, and Jibril Mahamud Farah, the Bangale Ward MCA, to appear before the commission on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

According to the letter dated September 27, 2024, to MP Hiribae, he is accused of inciting his constituents to destroy the Konakaliti Police Station located in Kitui South.

 "It has been alleged that you were adversely mentioned inciting residents of Galole Constituency in Tana River County to destroy the Konakaliti Police Station in Kitui South," reads the letter by NCIC CEO Harrison Kariuki.

These statements are reported to have incited feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence, or discrimination among residents living along the border of Kitui and Tana River counties.

The lawmaker is required to appear at the NCIC offices at Britam Towers, Upper Hill, on October 8 at 2 p.m. to assist with ongoing investigations.

MCA Farah faces similar accusations, with the NCIC alleging that he incited residents of the Katumba area in Kitui County against the construction of a police station.

 His statements are said to have created a climate of contempt and hostility among residents in the area. He is also summoned to appear at the NCIC offices on the same day but at 11 a.m.

The NCIC has stressed that its summons must be obeyed as if issued by the High Court.

"Failure to appear in person at the aforementioned place, date, and time, is an offence as provided under Section 63(b) as read with Section 63(c) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act," the commission warned.

Early this month, the commission called for an immediate end to the violence along the Kitui-Tana River border.

NCIC Chairman Samuel Kobia had condemned clashes between the Akamba and Somali communities, which resulted in significant destruction.

The conflict in Mandongoi, Kyuso Sub-County,  led to loss of life, injuries, and theft of livestock between the Somali and Kamba communities.

 He also called on leaders from both counties to recommit to resolving the conflict peacefully and to avoid inflammatory rhetoric.

"As a commission mandated to facilitate peace and cohesion in Kenya, we are deeply concerned by the reckless and inflammatory remarks made by certain politicians, exacerbating tensions resulting in this violent clash," Kobia added.

Tensions along the Kitui-Tana River county boundaries have led to loss of life and property, forcing hundreds to flee their homes. The ongoing clashes between Kitui farmers and Tana herders, fuelled by disputes over land and pasture, have escalated into a persistent conflict.

 In September 2023, at least 12 people were reported dead, and hundreds of families were displaced following a fresh border row along the Kitui and Tana River border.

 The conflict erupted when a local primary school was demolished, leading to counter-accusations from both sides, eventually boiling over into a full-blown conflict.

 The clashes have also led to the destruction of properties, including a police station and a primary school, within the conflict zone, as feuding communities leave the area for fear of more attacks.