Former minister denies Wagalla massacre

A former powerful Internal Security minister in the Kanu regime has denied the 1980 massacre of villagers in Wajir.

Mr GG Kariuki told the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation committee Tuesday that though he visited the region and addressed a public meeting after the killing of four civil servants, he said that he was not aware about a massacre at Bulla Kartasi village.

The Commission has been told that that security officers who were searching for a notorious bandit suspected to have killed the civil servants—including a district officer- rounded up villages, shot them dead indiscriminately, raped others and torched houses.

Witnesses told the commission that people were detained for more than 48 hours with no food or water and left in the scorching sun.

But Mr Kariuki who declared that he supported the TJRC, said he had no report about the  November 1980 killings.

“I don’t know about Bulla Kartasi. I don’t know what happened at Bulla Kartasi. There was no report of the killings,” said Mr Kariuki, who denied that a massacre ever occurred between 1980 and 1982 when he was in charge of the security docket.

The former minister sounded impatient and dismissive of the commissioners.

“You don’t seem to understand what I am saying. If you have exhausted your questions then let me free,” he told Mrs Patricia Nyaundi.

Earlier, testimony by a team of former government officials—including suspended TJRC chief Bethuel Kiplagat—were postponed until June 2.

The witnesses were supposed to provide information about a meeting of intelligence and security chiefs held in Wajir on February 8, 1984  before the  Wagalla massacre. They are alleged to have attended the meeting which gave the go ahead of a security crackdown that led to the death of hundreds of Degodia clansmen.

Others in the group include former Finance minister David Mwiraria, chief of general staff Joseph Kibwana, former PCs Benson Kaaria,  Joseph Kaguthi, ambassador David Muthemi and top police officer John Njue.

Their lawyer, Mr Kioko Kilukumi, sought more time to enable them obtain government records, since most of them are retired.

The TJRC clarified that the individuals were not suspects but stressed they were required to appear in person, failure in which they may face penalties.

TJRC commissioners said they will recommend prosecution where appropriate for those who committed gross violations and also institutional reform and reparations.