Kenyan Military deployed to Mandera over clashes

Sunday, May 12, 2013

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The government has deployed the military to Mandera county following inter-clan fighting that has so far claimed the lives of four people and displaced hundreds.

Deputy president William Ruto says the military will work together with a contingent of police officers in a disarmament exercise aimed at restoring normalcy in the region.

Area leaders who met the deputy president called on the locals to surrender arms voluntarily saying acts of violence will not be tolerated.

Ruto visited the area just a day after he toured Bungoma County where several people have been killed while over 130 have been injured in violent attacks by armed gangs.

He said the government has already deployed the Kenyan Defense Forces to conduct a disarmament exercise alongside a contingent of security officers already on the ground.

With claims that some of the raiders hail from neighboring Ethiopia, Ruto said diplomatic talks are ongoing between Kenya and Ethiopia to ensure the issue is resolved amicably.

Mandera governor Ibrahim Roba called on the locals to surrender arms voluntarily saying acts of violence will not be tolerated .

On Friday, violence between the Gare and Degodia clans escalated leaving four people dead around Rhamu town and displaced hundreds.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on the government to put up more police posts along the country’s porous borders.

Speaking in Narok county during the burial of two people killed by bandits along the Kenyan Tanzanian border, Raila said it was unfortunate that innocent Kenyans continue to lose their lives from organized gangs.

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