TANA RIVER: Governor-elect pledges to resettle Tana clash victims

Tana River County’s governor-elect has said he will resettle 3,800 people displaced in last year’s clashes his first 100 days in office.

Mr Hussein Dado Tuneya told journalists in Mombasa that this would be one of the priority issues on his plate that would help spearhead much-needed change in the county.

Speaking after a two-day meeting with other newly-elected county leaders, Mr Dado said it was also resolved to bring lasting peace in Tana Delta District.

The Governor-elect said the peaceful elections signified a new chapter of co-existence between the Orma and Pokomos, whose fighting has left more than 200 dead.

“We are appealing to donors and well-wishers to help us bring peace. We also need to reopen schools,” said Mr Dado.

Others at the meeting were county senator-elect Ali Abdi Bule, women representative-elect Halima Ware and 15 county assembly members.

Senator-elect Bule said: “We must resolve our grievances as a civilised society and agree to live in harmony and respect the rule of the law.”

“We will treat enemies of peace as criminals and nobody should be untouchable. As elected county leaders, we will discharge our duties with utmost honest and neutrality,” he added. 

Kipini West county assembly member Musa Shora told the press conference that seven primary schools in his area have been closed since last year because of the fighting.