Tuesday, April 19, 2011
One of the witnesses Bishar Ibrahim Ishmael who was a government official during the period when the alleged massacre occurred said that he identified the government and security officials who were at the airstrip between 8th February and 16th February 1984.
Bishar said that by 8th February 1984, about 2000 people had been rounded up at the airstrip and by 16th February 1984, he estimated 5,000 people had been brought as far as Mandera. Bishar later recalls seeing two truckloads of dead people, being driven out of the airstrip.
"I can identify the actual government official and army personnel, who were here during that period, and I also can identify the vehicles they drove and the number plates of these vehicles," said Bishar.
The Commission heard that the NARC government in 2003 had promised the construction of Wagalla memorial and public library which have not been fulfilled.
"All we want from the government is a formal apology for us to be able to move on'' said Mr. Bishar said the people of Wagalla need compensation according to the Somali tradition of five camels for each man killed.
The commission also heard about social economic injustices as each witness highlighted the poor state of health and educational facilities in the whole of Wajir and greater North Eastern region. This has translated to poor education standards and heath challenges.
The Wagalla massacre was the result of an effort to disarm ethnic Somali clans in the north-east of the country.
The government said that only 57 people were killed but survivors say close to 5,000 people died.
The Survivors told of how they were forced to strip naked and to lie on the ground.
They were held for five days without food and water.
Clothes doused in petrol were put on them and some were burnt to death.
Those who tried to escape were shot.
The dead bodies were not buried but were dumped in the nearby bushes where they were eaten by hyenas.
Sahara Kanaan is still haunted by what she witnessed.
"It is the government that murdered our people. I lost my father, my three brothers and my uncle on this same ground," she said.
"The government should bring justice for the murder of our people."
Wajir has a total of thirty four witnesses identified and the hearings continue until Wednesday 20th April 2011.
Source: Kenya Broadcasting corporation