Mandera leaders visit Banisa to de-escalate tension following killing of six family members
Governor Mohamed condemned the attack as “barbaric” and called for a lasting solution to the recurring cycle of senseless killings in the region.
Leaders from Mandera County visited Marodiley in Banisa Sub-county on Friday to de-escalate heightened tensions among local communities following the brutal killing of six family members on Wednesday night.
The delegation, which included Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif, Senator Ali Roba, Members of Parliament, the County Security Committee, and religious leaders, visited the bereaved family and held a peace rally at Churuko village. They urged the communities to resist retaliatory violence and instead embrace peaceful coexistence.
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Governor Mohamed, who described the attack as barbaric, called for a lasting solution to the recurring cycle of senseless killings witnessed in the region.
He said the leaders had resolved to begin stakeholder engagements with community elders, religious leaders, the security team, women, and youth.
"We shall not allow criminals, disguised as members of our peace-loving communities, to disrupt our peaceful coexistence," he stated.
Mandera Senator Ali Roba addressing peace rally at Charuko in Banisa sub county following the killings of six family members. (County press)
He assured residents that the county government remained committed to fostering peace and would maintain regular engagement with communities.
Speaking at the Churuko peace rally in Banisa, Senator Ali described the incident as inhumane and unfortunate.
"Killing innocent children and women is a sad and heinous act. We urge everyone to work towards peace. Let us collectively condemn and curse the killers," he said.
Ahmed Deere, a community elder and retired police officer, criticised security agencies for their laxity.
"It has become a trend to respond only after killings occur. Security must be proactive in preventing such attacks. Where is the government intelligence? Are they not on the ground?" he asked.
He said the killings were being orchestrated by a few individuals using motorbikes, who do not represent any clan, but whose actions risk inciting inter-ethnic violence. He urged security agencies to investigate the incident and apprehend those responsible.
The leaders unanimously condemned the attack and reiterated the need for peaceful coexistence. They also called on security officials in the region to step up operations to prevent further violence.
Mandera residents at a peace rally. (county press)
The chilling incident, suspected by police to be a retaliatory attack following the killing of three people, occurred in Marodiley, within Malkamari Division, near the Kenya–Ethiopia border.
All six victims were members of the same extended family, living in a single household. The deceased have been identified as Kheira Muhumed Abdirahman (38), Abdifatah Haji Issack Hassa (4), Imran Haji Issack (3), Aisha Haji Issack (6 months), Halima Abdi Guhad (42), and Kheira Mohamed Muhumed (8).
In September 2024, the Degodia and Gare communities, who reside in Mandera and neighbouring parts of Ethiopia, resolved to end a four-week conflict that had claimed several lives. Elders from both countries held a two-day peace meeting in Banisa and committed to peaceful coexistence.
However, after nearly six months of calm, fresh violence and rising tensions have once again engulfed the region, threatening community stability.
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