Minister denies Tana River clashes role

Livestock assistant minister Dhadho Godhana denies claims he has refused to cooperate with government officials and denies role in the Tana River clashes.

The Galole MP said he was willing to be investigated but the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was yet to contact him.

"I am ready to work with the CID to help track down the attackers,” said Mr Godhana during a news conference at Chester House, Nairobi Friday.

Defence minister Yusuf Haji on Thursday told Parliament that he had directed the CID to investigate the MP over the attacks that killed 48 villagers and injured many others.

"He has refused to join other local leaders and MPs in security meetings,” said Mr Haji on Thursday.

However, Mr Godhana insisted he has been on the frontline in engaging local communities in peace efforts and asked that Mr Haji, who is also the acting Internal Security minister, be investigated on the same matter.

He said that the minister has plans to occupy the border between North Eastern Province and Tana River in order to expand his development projects.

"The Defence Minister has three schools among other projects and he has been putting a lot of efforts to push his interests in this area,” said Mr Godhana.

"Mr Haji has been the person spearheading an expansionist plan to occupy part of Tana. He is has been agitating for the adjustment of the boundaries between Tana and North Eastern."

Political rivalry

Mr Godhana blamed the animosity between communities in the Tana River County on political rivalry that exists between leaders.

"Attaining permanent peace in this region is not easy with the opposition that exists between leaders. Garsen MP Danson Mungatana can call for a meeting and invite all other leaders and exclude me,” complained the assistant minister.

Mr Godhana disregarded one of the security meetings attended by 10 MPs from conflict-prone zones.

At the same time, Planning assistant minister Peter Kenneth called for concrete action over the killings.

"Explanations offered so far by leaders and security organs have been wanting and a little too late in the day," he said in a statement.

"The week has been rather sad for our country. We have lost more than 60 people in senseless attacks and counter-attacks in Tana River and Mandera Counties. These are the moments that try the souls of mankind."

He said politically motivated violence is extremely dangerous to Kenya’s well-being as he country draws close to the 2013 General Election.

"We have been there before and we must never go back. Leaders must pull together in this regard and champion peaceful coexistence amongst all Kenyans notwithstanding their varied ethnicity, opinions and preferences,” Mr Kenneth said.

He appealed to security organs to rise to the occasion and manage conflicts before they escalate to alarming levels.