Friday, June 17, 2011
 PHOTO/HEZRON NJOROGE Former North Eastern province Provincial Commissioner Benson Kaaria during the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission hearings on the Wagalla massacre on June 14, 2011. |
Mr Benson Kaaria told the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) that the joint security operation was a success.
“The operation was a big success. I have no apology to make on what happened, the much I can do is offer my sympathy to those who lost their lives and to the survivors,” said Mr Kaaria.
The administrator blamed the massacre on the Degodia community, saying it ignored an order to surrender illegal firearms.
Only the Ajuran community complied with the order, he said. Mr Kaaria said the swoop was sparked by constant armed raids by the Degodia on the Ajuran.
He, however, revised the signal and authorised the arrest and detention of men only at the Wagalla airstrip for vetting.
Mr Kaaria said he had developed guidelines on what to do on emergency security situations.
He admitted issuing an order in 1980 to arrest and detain members of the Somali community in Garissa after four civil servants were killed by bandits.
“I chaired a security meeting and after the president’s approval, I issued a curfew and directed security personnel to detain members of Somali origin at Garissa Primary School for vetting,” said Mr Kaaria.
Source: Daily Nation