CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OVER ONGOING STATE OF INSECURITY IN ISIOLO
Leaders and residents alike are calling for accountability from the government over the ongoing state of insecurity in the county that has led to unprecedented killings.
Recently, seven people including two police officers died, which led to protests and has also turned up the political heat across the county, despite government reassurance that the situation was under control.
During a graduation event in Merti for over 400 Madrasa pupils and students, which was attended by political, religious, and community leaders, calls were made to the government to act quickly and address the current insecurity, which has been blamed on armed bandits from Samburu County who have infiltrated Isiolo Kom Division grazing lands.
Former PS for Petroleum Mohamed Liban, who has declared his gubernatorial bid for the Isiolo top seat, called for a cease to the killings and crimes against humanity and urged the National and County governments to work closely with the communities and move swiftly to address the situation before it was out of hand.
Rehema Jaldesa, the National Gender Equality Commission Chairperson, however, assured residents that a permanent solution was underway, as the CS for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, had already promised to establish a multi-agency team in the disturbed area. She said there was no need for residents to continue the blame game on the President over matters that were being handled.
However, communities have remained cautious over assurances from the government, with the Merti Sub-County Peace Chairperson, Mohamed Abduba, reading a disturbing statement on atrocities witnessed in Isiolo County that are blamed on attacks by aggressors from Samburu County.
In a period of nine years, according to a statement read by the Peace Chair, 115 people died, 102 were injured, 11,390 cows, 16,980 goats, 350 camels, and 599 donkeys were lost, according to Abduba.
Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Muganda, who visited the affected areas, said that more police officers had been deployed in the affected areas and that an operation to recover illegal firearms was underway. Muganda urged residents to be patient during this period.
Halima Gole, a Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Cherab Ward, was adamant that the current situation could only be addressed by residents and community leaders having an audience with the President himself, as they were not feeling well represented in the current grievances. She warned that they were not going to support the government if action was not taken soon to address the situation.
