Photo: Hezron Njorge/The Star Galole MP Dhado Godhana has said disarming the warring Pokomo and Orma communities in Tana River county is not a solution to recent clashes.
He blamed the violence on inciters from other parts of the country. "Peace will only be achieved when those who instigate the violence are arrested. Those carrying weapons are different from those who plan the violence," said the MP.
Godhana said the inciters use livestock, water, pasture and other resources as an excuse to create friction between the two communities. He was speaking on Monday's Eid Baraza attended by Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Mombasa. Godhana said the government ignored tell-tale signs and warnings submitted in various reports of the imminent clashes.
He cited the attack on students from the Orma community at Ijara Primary School and the clashes in Ndera and Mwina. "People openly declared they will ensure that no elections are conducted in the area. What they said at a public peace forum took place two weeks later in Kipini and other areas," Godhana said.
He said some people feel their political ambitions are threatened by the unity of the two clans. "Despite some differences, there has been relative peace. The communities have intermarried and live together for so many years," said Godhana. He said there is a plot by certain people to install their own people in all political seats in the county for selfish reasons.
"The National Intelligence Security Service," Godhana said, "should trace the owners of the livestock being used as a scapegoat for the violence." He said there is a planned meeting between security agents and leaders of the warring communities to find an amicable solution. "If the government fails to intervene, no amount of talks will salvage the situation," said the MP.
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