Saturday, January 07, 2012

Saitoti: Ethiopian attackers abetting clashes in Moyale

(Sunday, 8th January 2012, The Standard)--Attackers from Ethiopia are contributing to the security crisis in Moyale, the Government has said.

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said the attackers put up with their tribesmen who reside in Kenya when they cross into the country.But he warned that the Government would not let the assailants to continue terrorising residents.

"Let them know that we have the capacity to deal with them once and for all. We have deployed enough personnel in the affected areas in efforts to tame further attacks," he said in Nairobi.

Prof Saitoti said Kenyan security agencies would guard the Kenya/Ethiopia border just the same way they are doing to the Kenya/Somalia one.Inbter-clan fightingThe minister, who made the remarks after meeting MPs from the affected region, also called on communities in the area to stop the inter-clan fighting that has seen many lives lost.

He also attributed the enduring security crisis to power and resource sharing tensions as the country moves from a centralised system to county governments."This political dispute clearly can be sorted amicably. It would be embarrassing for incidences reminiscent of the 2008 post-election violence to start occurring," said Saitoti.

Tens of police officers have been flown to the area to beef up security. Senior security officers led by AP Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua toured the affected area and assured residents of security and urged them not to flee to Ethiopia.Saitoti said up to six people including a police officer have been killed in the clashes in the past week alone.

"The Government has deployed enough security officers to contain the situation. Acts of lawlessness will not be tolerated and will be dealt with firmly," warned the minister.Saitoti, who said he would visit the area on Tuesday, promised to work closely with political leaders from the region to find a lasting solution to the security crisis.

Laisamis MP Joseph Lekuton, who read a statement on behalf of leaders from Marsabit County, called for a ceasefire among the warring groups. Read more from The Standard »

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