Activists demand dismissal of Tana River security officials amid rising violence

Civil society organisations have called for the immediate dismissal of top security officials in Tana River County following a spate of recent killings.

In a briefing on Wednesday, led by activist Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, the organisations criticised the government for its inadequate response to the ongoing violence, which has resulted in nearly 18 deaths in Tana River over the past week.

“The government has absolutely failed in its duty to provide security as guaranteed by Article 29 of the Constitution. Kenyans are dying. Instead of the government going to the ground, they are busy peddling politics while Kenyans are dying for no reason in Tana River,” he lamented.

The violence intensified recently, with four additional fatalities reported on October 12 in Meti Village, Tana North sub-county, bringing the total number of deaths in the past week to 18.

Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei confirmed that a group of youths from one community armed with machetes, attacked a man from another community, prompting retaliation that resulted in the deaths of four youths.

In response to the unrest, Koskei noted that General Service Unit (GSU) officers were deployed from Bura to restore order in the affected areas.

Tana River residents attend the International Day of Peace celebration in Tana River County on Saturday, September 21, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

Despite the deployment, Hussein Khalid called for the arrest of the area officers, adding that the sanctity of life must be respected. He insisted that many Kenyans have died from the recent anti-government protests, yet no one has been held accountable.

“At this particular meeting, we are calling for the immediate dismissal of all security agencies, beginning with the county commissioner of Tana River, for their failure to ensure lives are protected. The sanctity of life must be respected in this country. Sixty-one Kenyans have died from the protests. Not a single police officer has been held accountable. The impunity being exhibited by security agencies in this country is unfathomable, and we are saying that we shall not allow such scenarios to continue in our beloved country,” he said.

Tana River residents had criticised Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki for imposing a curfew amid the clashes, arguing that police presence during the day was insufficient to prevent attacks, which often occur in the mornings.

They called for a review of the gazette notice issued on October 11, which declared 12 locations in Tana River County as disturbed due to insecurity, to allow businesses and places of worship, including mosques, to operate.

In the gazette notice, Kindiki outlined that the order was effective immediately for 30 days, following consultations with the National Security Council.

The affected areas include locations in Bangale Sub-County and Tana North Sub-County, such as Madogo, Areri, Saka, Sala, Mororo, Mbalambala, Hirimani, Hosingo, Dukanotu, Chewele, Nanighi, and Bura.

Following the directive, Inspector-General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, instructed residents in these areas to surrender all arms to the police for safe custody.