Mandera | Goaty's News (UK)

Inter-tribal election related clashes in northern Kenya

(Photo: Kenya Red Cross) Abbas Gullet suring the Rapid assesment

(Video: Police officers early Friday shot dead two suspected robbers in Kisauni after a gun battle. Elsewhere hundreds of people are fleeing their homes in Rhamu, Mandera following an attack that has left 7 people dead. – kenyacitizentv)

“Four people lost their lives and another 21 injured, 3 of the critical after a clash erupted between the Gare and Degodia clans of Rhamu, Mandera County, also rendering at least 7,000 people homeless.

(Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday 28th February 2013, left property worth thousands of shillings destroyed and houses burnt down.

The Kenya Red Cross Branch office in the area was also looted.

(Photo: Kenya Red Cross) Abbas Gullet inspecting some of the looted property at the Kenya Red Cross Society Rhamu Branch offices

In response, Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) dispatched a disaster response team from the Dadaab Refugee Operations comprising Clinical officers, Nurses and Paramedics to offer humanitarian assistance and since 28th February 2013 the team has been camping in Rhamu, providing the same to affected families.

(Photo: Kenya Red Cross) Members of public salvaging their property

The KRCS has also dispatched at least 7.5 tonnes of relief food as a stopgap measure while more food will be dispatched from the Government and WFP. Furthermore, an Emergency Medical Services Ambulance was also dispatched on 1st March 2013 from Nairobi, to support the operations team on the ground.

A medical team is already on the ground The KRCS Secretary General, Dr. Abbas Gullet, visited the affected areas on 1st March 2013 and held peace meetings with members of both communities.

Also present was the Provincial Administration that included the PPO, PC, Senior Administration Police, Provincial Intelligence Committee from Carissa and local Peace Committees.

Members of both communities pledged to maintain peace.

Meanwhile, the causes of the conflict are allegations that some people had been ferried from Nairobi and neighbouring Countries to come and vote in the area for favoured communities living in the area” – Kenya Red Cross

Three killed in inter-tribal clashes in northern Kenya

Xinhua | 2013-3-1 21:44:07

“At least 3 people were killed on Friday in northern Kenyan town of Mandera as clashes between two warring communities escalated following the killing of a prominent business man in Rhamu area.

The business man who was identified as Haji Belle Hammed and who hails from the Degodia clan was killed on the spot on Thursday after being knocked down by a campaign vehicle at Rhamu trading centre.

The incident sparked off skirmishes between the Degodia and Garreh clans which saw four houses burnt down with the top security committee touring the area.

Divisional police commander, Stephen Weda said on Friday the man was accidentally hit by the vehicle as the driver, who is a Garreh attempted to speed away from rowdy youths who were pelting the vehicle with stones.

“The driver accelerated to escape from the stone-throwing mob hitting the trader in the ensuing confusion,” Weda told Xinhua by telephone.

Garre and Degodia clans, who have co-existed in Mandera and Wajir counties for years harmoniously, have turned bitter foes after 2007 general election, after the former clan lost its traditional Mandera central constituency to the later.

Garre, who are majority in the constituency, lost the seat to Abdikhadir Mohamed, a Degodia after Garre votes were divided among over four candidates contesting. Mohamed has since announced that he would not contest election in March 4 elections.

The incident is said to have provoked angry reaction from members of the Degodia clan living in the town who set on fire houses belonging to members of the Garreh clan.

In retaliation, members of the Gurreh set ablaze several houses belonging to members of the Degodia before security personnel moved in and quelled the hostilities.

Regional police commander, Charlton Mureithi who also confirmed the incident said that security personnel have been deployed in the area to quell the clashes.

“Our officers drawn from the GSU regular and administration units are on the ground patrolling the area in a bid stop more attacks, we however want to warn anybody trying to fuel the clashes that the government will not hesitate to arrest them,” said Mureithi.

Tension remained high in Rhamu tow as businesses remained closed for the better part of the day.” – globaltimes.cn

Thirty five people have died after a bus they were travelling in overturned along the Mwingi – Garissa Highway.

(Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

The bus which was travelling to Mandera from Nairobi was reportedly speeding and overloaded when the accident occurred approximately two kilometres from Mwingi Town.

(Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

Passengers were trapped inside the bus which is also said to have developed mechanical problems.

(Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

Area OCPD David Musila confirmed the incident stating that 35 passengers who lost their lives in the accident and said that another 50 have been rushed to the Mwingi district hospital.