Wagalla: TJRC calls ex-security men

Former security officials who could help solve the Wagalla Massacre mystery have been asked to appear before the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission when it starts hearings next week.

The 42 former and current security officers who the TJRC has “identified as potential witnesses” have been notified to collect further information from the Commission’s headquarters in Nairobi.

TJRC Chief Executive Officer Ms Patricia Nyaundi said in an announcement Tuesday that the officers have a right to legal representation if they are to testify before the Commission.

“Should you also wish to submit any document as an exhibit or otherwise refer to one at the hearing, kindly let the Commission have the same not less than seven days before the hearing date,” said Ms Nyaundi.

The TJRC is scheduled to conduct hearings on historical injustices in Northern Kenya areas of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Moyale, Marsabit and Isiolo from Monday next week.

The Kenya Intelligence Committee members are alleged to have checked into a meeting at the Wajir DC office a day before the Wagalla massacre. The Massacre involved the killing of Somalis by Kenyan security forces on February 10, 1984 at Wagalla Airstrip, Wajir.

Members of Degodia, a Somali clan, were gathered by security forces and taken to an airstrip in Wajir. The operation, which involved regular and administration police as well as the army aimed to disarm the Degodia and force them to identify the bandits committing crimes in the district.

The exact number of those killed remains unknown. Though the government officially said that only 57 people were killed, the local and human rights groups have put the number to over 3,000.

Among those who are listed in the notification announcement are members of the 1984 Kenya Intelligence Committee who include former TJRC chairman Mr Bethuel Kiplagat, who was the PS in the Foreign Affairs Ministry at the time.

Others are the then minister for Internal Security G.G. Kariuki, David Mwiraria who was the then PS in the Home Affairs Ministry and J.K Kinyanjui who was Chief of Military Intelligence between 1982 and 1985.

Former PS in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting John Gituma and Major J.R.Kibwana who was representing the Ministry of Defence have also been asked to appear before the Committee.

Also listed from the Intelligence Committee are B.N Macharia who was representing the Treasury and J.P Mwangovya and Z.J.M Kimencu, both from the Office of the President.