Use 'tough measures' to deal with Tana conflict, police told

The Cabinet has asked the police to act decisively to end clashes in the Tana Delta.

It also directed a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the conflict in which 109 people have been killed and report back within 30 days.

These were among a raft of tough measures approved by the Cabinet to restore peace in the troubled area, including the deployment of additional security officers to deal with fighting between the Orma and Pokomo in Garsen constituency.

The meeting, chaired by President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in the Tana Delta which has been marked by waves of killings in the last two weeks.

“Today’s (Thursday) Cabinet meeting noted with deep concern the situation obtaining in the Tana River County and regretted the loss of life and property that has been inflicted upon local communities,” said a Presidential Press Service statement.

The Cabinet agreed that tough measures should be taken to restore peace and security in the area, which is represented by Narc Kenya MP Danson Mungatana.

The tough measures began with the Cabinet’s direction to the police force to use all means to protect the lives and property of the residents in the area without looking over their shoulders.

The Cabinet was categorical that the Constitution does not stop the police from using force to end the killings.

“The (police) officers should enforce peace and security without any fear or favour. The cabinet noted that the new Constitution did not weaken the rules of engagement in the protection of lives and property. The rule of law must also be maintained across the country, the cabinet ordered,” the PPS statement said.

A police spokesman had on Wednesday said the officers feared using force because they could be hauled before a tribunal or taken to The Hague like their former boss Hussein Ali over the 2007 election chaos.

More officers will  also be deployed in the region to enforce the curfew which was imposed on the area early this week by President Kibaki. They were also ordered to arrest and take to court people who financed, incited or took part in the killings.

The Cabinet further directed formation of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry which will be headed by a judge to investigate the cause of the conflict . The commission was given 30 days to conclude its investigations and submit its report.

Other measures included supply of humanitarian support to the affected families, intensifying reconciliation efforts and mobbing up of stolen ammunitions.

Hospitals in Lamu and Malindi will receive more medical supplies to treat the injured.