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Somali community leaders ask state to carry out disarmament in Isiolo

Isiolo's Somali Council of Elders Chairperson Abdikadir Shariff Abdullahi and other leaders address journalists in Isiolo town on April 27, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

By Waweru Wairimu | 28 Apr 2024

The leaders cited the proliferation of illegal firearms among the drivers of conflicts between communities in the county and those in neighbouring areas.

Somali Community leaders in Isiolo have implored the government to carry out a disarmament exercise in insecurity hotspot areas across the county to rid the region of the crime that has claimed hundreds of lives in the past years.

Led by Council of Elders Chairperson Abdikadir Shariff Abdullahi and Secretary-General Idle Hassan, the leaders cited the proliferation of illegal firearms among the drivers of conflicts between communities in the county and those in neighbouring Samburu, Marsabit, Laikipia, Meru, Wajir and Garissa counties.

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Abdikadir expressed fears that the situation could worsen if a security operation to retrieve the illegal guns in the hands of civilians and recover pending stolen livestock is not expedited.

"Our people have lost their breadwinners and hundreds of livestock during past attacks, impoverishing our communities that rely on pastoralism for a living," he said, adding that enhanced security would discourage communities from arming themselves to protect lives and their properties.

He said it was sad that criminals continued to unleash terror on the residents despite a section of MCAs in Isiolo and Samburu promising to help the government recover stolen livestock and volunteer names of suspects ostensibly to spare the county a security operation.

"Many of our people, especially in Burat ward, have fled their homes for fear of subsequent attacks. We appeal that the security operation continues as planned," Abdikadir said.

Some 1,800 cows and 738 camels belonging to the Ameru and Somali communities respectively stolen in the recent past, are among those yet to be recovered and handed back to the owners according to the elder.

Human Rights Activist Anab Kasim said apart from recovery of the stolen livestock, the government must also ensure the criminals behind the attacks are arrested and prosecuted.

"Disconnect"

Anab said while Interior Security CS Prof Kindiki was passionate about eradicating banditry, there was laxity in enforcement by the police.

"There is a serious disconnect between the police and the national government administration team which is derailing efforts to protect Kenyans and their properties," she said, calling for the deployment of more National Police Reservists in hotspot areas to secure the local communities.

The activist further advised the State to carry out an intelligence-led operation so that no innocent residents and vulnerable groups such as women, elderly persons and children are harassed.

The leaders spoke during a thanksgiving ceremony for Osman Shariff who unsuccessfully vied for Isiolo North MP seat in the August 2022 elections that brought together community leaders from all the 11 sub-clans.

Lauding the community and Isiolo residents for supporting his bid, Osman urged the community to remain united to enhance their bargaining power in advocating for members' social and economic empowerment as well as political inclusion.

"I want to say thank you to those who voted for me and those who did not because regardless of the outcome of the elections, I remain a member of the community. I hold grudges against no one for how they voted," he said.

On insecurity, Osman asked the government to place NPR under the office of the County Commissioner, lamenting inaccessibility while under the National Police Service.

"We want a working system which is accessible to the public and the commissioner's office would be ideal to oversee the operations of the police reservists," he said.

Osman said a few criminals should not be allowed to terrorise thousands of Kenyans, asking the government to deal ruthlessly with bandits and cattle rustlers.

Elected leaders, he said, must be sincere in the fight against banditry and cattle rustling and avoid only showing up when people are killed.