Former GSU Officer among 56 people arrested over Tana Delta clash

A former General Service Unit officer was among 56 people arrested on Saturday morning over Tana Delta clash that killed at least 41 people.

The former GSU officer is said to have recently deserted duties, according to Tana River County Commissioner Joseph Rotich.

“We also recovered an AK-47 rifle with three rounds of ammunition. The suspects are all locked up at the Gamba and Garsen Police Stations,” he said.

The attacks at Kipao village left at least 41 people dead and several others injured.

However, residents protested at the manner in which a contingent of 200 GSU and Administration officers raided the village, saying they used excessive force.

In an interview with Nation, area resident Ms Margaret Sango said that her two sons, aged 14 and 18 years were among those arrested.

“The officers came and ordered all the women to a central place outside the village and took our sons away. This is not fair,” she said.

Another resident, Ms Margret Dima, lamented that her son was whisked away without any explanation.

“We cannot believe what we are witnessing. The officers raided a home where a funeral was being held and arrested youths who were digging the grave and the body had to be abandoned,” said Mzee Wande Dulu.

He added: “How do you take school children away purporting that they are criminals? How do you arrest people you are supposed to protect? What have they done? We strongly protest the manner in which these raids are being conducted.”

By Saturday, residents were fleeing Ngao village, saying they feared more attacks and harassment by police officers.

At the same time, a coast human rights lobby group has called for the end of ethnic rivalry and killings in the area.

Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) Executive Director Yusuf Lule said it was a disappointment that in the midst of a Judicial Inquiry and Peace Initiatives in the region, communities were engaged in serious animosity and rivalry.

Mr Lule said it was baffling that despite huge security and intelligence presence in the region following the previous attacks that led to the death of almost 100 people, the communities are still fighting.

Mr Lule called upon the National Police Service Commission to re-think and strengthen the Community Policing strategy in attempt to enhance community neighbourhood and safety in the country.

He said there seem to be a lapse in the security intelligence apparatus and the only panacea lies on the enhancement of the community policing strategy.

“How could people walk freely with arms and kill masses with ease,” he asked.