Bid to disarm clan ‘led to Wagalla massacre’
Widows of Wagalla massacre victims break down in sobs during the visit by the Truth team to the massacre scene on April 16, 2011. Photo/FILE
The security operation that ended in the infamous Wagalla massacre was mounted to recover illegal firearms from members of the Degodia clan of the Somali community.
Mr Manasseh Tiame, who was the Wajir District Commissioner at the time said the operation was authorised by members of the Kenya Intelligence Committee and the District Security Committee.
Mr Tiame on Monday told the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission that although the operation to mop up the arms was successful, he was remorseful that it also resulted in deaths and alleged rape.
“When I saw the firearms recovered, I was happy, but when I heard that people had died, I was sad,” said Mr Tiame, who retired from the civil service in 2003 as an under-secretary in the Ministry of Trade.
“I feel there should be an apology. I apologise because our operation was not to kill but to disarm the people and bring peace,” he added.
Mr Tiame said he was informed by the Wajir intelligence officer, then known as the Special Branch, that 57 people had died.
He was later sent on leave abruptly, with the signal instructing him to leave his post alleging the decision had been made by retired President Daniel Moi.
He told the commission at a special hearing that the meeting of intelligence and security chiefs was held in Wajir on February 8, 1984.
According to Mr Tiame, the operation was to start two days later, and was to be undertaken by the Army and members of the regular and Administration Police under a Maj Mudogo.
There had been fighting between the Ajurra and Degodia clans, said Mr Tiame, and the Degodias had refused to hand over illegal firearms while the Ajurra had obliged.
Mr Tiame said the operation would cover “all areas periodically occupied by the Degodia”, and all the men would be rounded up for interrogation.
Major Mudogo had initially suggested that the men be taken to an army camp, but members of the District Security Committee chaired by Mr Tiame preferred the Wagalla Airstrip, which was fenced.
