Two leaders have opposed the move to sack chiefs in Garissa. Garissa governor aspirant Ali Korane said sacking the chiefs was uncalled for. His sentiments were echoed by Garissa Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim chairman Abdullahi Salat.

"If the government thinks sacking the chiefs will restore restore sanity in Garissa then it is wrong. If anything sacking them will only create a vacuum which the criminals will use to commit more crimes," said Korane.

The 26 chiefs were sacked two days ago by North Eastern PC Ernest Munyi who accused them of "laxity in the fight against terror". However, most of the chiefs say they have not received any official communication from the government.

"I learnt of my sacking through the media. However, if the story is true then it is very unfortunate because we are being used as sacrificial lambs and scapegoats for someone else's failure," said one chief who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation.

The chiefs said their role is to identify and report suspected criminals to the government adding that they have done so. "We will not accept this. If it takes going to court to challenge the move, we will do so," added the chief.

Korane said the chiefs are also victims of insecurity and sacking them will make a bad situation worse. Garissa county commissioner Mohamed Maalim denied the chiefs had been fired saying that his office had not received any official communication pertaining to the matter.

"According to my understanding the chiefs in Garissa district are still at work. If there is any sacking, that it will done officially," said Maalim on the phone.