Fred Matiang’i heads to Wajir on the weekend over renewed clan fueds in county

Interior and Coordination Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i at a past press conference. (Courtesy)

NAIROBI—The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordinaton is heading to Wajir on the weekend, accompanied by the elected leaders from the county, in an attempt to end the clan fued in the North of the county and East.

His itinery included meeting representatives from the warring clans, community leaders, religious and political leader as part of  a wide push to end the boundary conflict pitting Wajir North and Eldas constituency.

Hi anticipated visit comes a week after the leaders from the county raised concerns over the perennial inter-clan conflicts in the area.

Renewed clashes between Ajuran and Degodia clan erupted recently over boundaries and claimed 3 lives including a pregnant woman.

The leaders led by senator Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali, condemned the clashes and regretted that the the situation is getting out of hand and requires urgent attention from the national government.

“I condemn the recurring clashes. The root cause has not been addressed. Let the government and relevant authorities take it upon themselves to address the situation. We need to live in harmony,” the senator said.

Adreessing the press at the parliament, the leaders asked the government  to intervene and end the perennial interclan clashes  to avert loss of human lives and destruction of properties.

The legislators called upon the government and relevant authorities to take measures and arrest the individuals behind the killings irrespective of their status in the society for justice to prevail.

On his part Tarbaj MP Ahmed Bashane said just like other Kenyans , the area residents needed to be protected especially now that the clashes have erupted.

The MPs appealed to Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i to personally tour the area with the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett to assess the deteriorating security situation and ensure peace is restored in the area.

In his remarks, Wajir Governor  Mohamed Abdi urged the two warring communities from Wajir North and Eldas to cease hostilities.

“We need peace in Wajir. We will not tolerate people who create conflict.” Abdi said during a peace meeting in Wajir town attended by leaders from the two sub-counties.

He asked the government and religious leaders to do more to ensure peace prevails and pointed out that his administration would work with the national government to ensure sanity is restored.