Military accused of torture in Mandera
What you need to know:
- Army says it has not received complaint on soldiers’ conduct
Nearly 200 residents of Mandera County are demanding compensation for alleged mistreatment by the military in an operation to rid the area of Al-Shabaab militia group.
On Wednesday, Mandera West MP and Assistant Energy minister Mohamed Mahamud presented a list of alleged misdeeds committed by the Kenya Defence Forces and their Somali Transitional Federal Government allies in the past month.
Mr Mahamud claimed the people were beaten and seriously injured in the aftermath of an explosion on November 24 in Mandera in which a soldier died and several others were injured.
According to a report — titled Gross Violations of the People of Mandera — by the Mandera County Council, the forces reacted to the explosion by beating up residents before looting their property.
“What followed was mayhem in which innocent wananchi were beaten, homes and businesses looted, scores of people injured and women molested,” the document presented to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights claims.
Condemn terror attacks
“We don’t understand why the soldiers molested the people they were supposed to protect. We condemn terror attacks against our military officers, but we consider their response was grossly inappropriate,” Mandera town Mayor Mohammed Khalif told reporters.
But Military spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir told the Nation he was yet to receive complaints on the soldiers’ conduct.
“If there are any human rights violations, we should know as early as possible. I am not aware of any officer who has gone against the right security procedure,” said Maj Chirchir.
Commission chairman Florence Jaoko said they would carry out investigations to verify the claims.
