BLOGS
Garissa County commissioner sets the record straight as tension mounts in Liboi
Garissa County Commissioner, Chepchieng at a past event. (Courtesy)
GARISSA—Garissa County Commissioner Joshua Chepchieng has reassured residents of the County that the government was not out to harass or intimidate them.
He was reacting to comments by leaders during Madaraka day celebrations held at Garissa primary school playgrounds on the alleged disappearance of an Imam in Liboi and harassment of security officers at the Tana bridge police barrier.
Last week, an Imam at a local mosque in Liboi, Dadaab sub county was taken from his house by security officers and he is still at large.
Mohamed Dahiye, the area Member of Parliament asked the government to produce the Imaam and stop the forceful disappearance of residence of his constituency.
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims national organizing secretary Abdullahi Salat and Galbeth MCA Abdirizak Ismail said that requirement that passengers should alight from the bus and queue holding their ID cards up when heading to Nairobi was not only disrespectful but meant to intimidate the local.
The Commissioner said the inspection of passengers at the bridge is done in good faith and should be taken so by area residents.
“Security officers manning the barrier have clear instructions on how to handle passengers but in case there is one or two such officers who have gone overboard should be reported and necessary disciplinary action will be taken against them,” said Chepchieng.
Over 240 people from Liboi crossed over to Dobley in the neighboring Somalia for fear of abduction following the disappearance of the Imaam. However chepchieng said the matter was resolved.
“It is not wise for our people to cross over to Somalia as IDPs while we can talk and resolve issues torching on them. We have explained our position as the government on the matter and it is being handled,” he said.
