adminand Ethiopia.
Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo, who issued the directive while on a tour of the clash-torn region, late Sunday said forceful disarmament will start if the locals holding small arms and light weapons do not surrender them in the next three days.
“We have issued instructions that those holding illegal firearms must surrender them within the next three days or there will be forceful disarmament,” Kimaiyo said in the border town of Mandera late on Sunday.
The fighting pitting the pastoralists Somali sub-clans of Garre and Degodia reignited last Friday after suspected rival clan militia believed to have crossed from the neighbouring Ethiopia killed eight people and injured more than 20 others.
Both Garre and Degodia have communal presence and have sophisticated armed militia in Ethiopia who have been used in clan fighting in the Horn of Africa country.
But the police chief called on the locals to co-operate with the police as part of efforts to ensure the northern part of the country is safe.
The move comes as some of the 14 people who were attacked by the armed militia have been airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment.
According to Kenya Red Cross officials, the clashes have led to the displacement of more than 50 000 people.
Mandera County Commissioner Michael ole Tailal said yesterday that the government was doing all that it can to make sure that the clashes are stopped and everybody goes back to their home.
“We are appealing for calm and an end to the clashes. We will not hesitate to arrest anybody who will be found to have been involved in the clashes in any way,” said Tailal.
The government administrator also confirmed that hundreds of the locals had camped at the police station for fear of being attacked.
The attacks are deadly. — Xinhua.
Online Reporter