MP, MCA Among 5 Politicians Summoned Over Tana River Clashes
NCIC Commissioner Danvas Makori stated that the leaders will assist in uncovering the root cause of the conflict.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Three politicians from Tana River County appeared before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Monday, October 14 over the ongoing inter-clan clashes in the county that have so far claimed the lives of at least 14 people.
The NCIC had summoned five leaders regarding the issue. Former Woman Representative Rehema Hassan, Galole MP Hiribe Said Buya, and Bangale MCA Jibril Mahamud responded to NCIC summons regarding tribal clashes in 12 sub-locations.
NCIC Commissioner Danvas Makori stated that the leaders will assist in uncovering the root cause of the conflict.
Bura MP Yakub Adow Kuno, however, through his lawyer, informed the commission that he was hospitalised. On her part, County MP Amina Dika Abudulahi conveyed via her lawyer that she is currently out of the country.
NCIC Chair Dr Samuel Kobia addressing members of the press. /NCIC
The summons came as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) grilled a section of politicians from the county led by Governor Godana Dhado concerning the clashes before they were released.
The two were arrested Friday evening after failing to honour summons to help in investigations on the tribal clashes that led to the deaths of the 14 in less than two weeks since the clashes began.
“It is true we have arrested Tana River Governor and Galole MP Said Hiribae. The two politicians were summoned to our offices over the ongoing clashes in Tana River but they failed to honor summons,” the Director of DCI Mohamed Amin reported following their arrest.
On the very same Friday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared 12 areas in Tana River County as disturbed and dangerous, a notice that took immediate effect from 6:30 pm and will last for 30 days.
The areas declared disturbed included Bangale Sub-county’s Madogo, Areri, Saka, Sala, Mororo, and Mbalambala locations. In Tana North Sub-County, Hirimani, Hosingo, Dukanotu, Chewele, Nanighi, and Bura locations were also listed.
At the same time, Inspector General Douglas Kanja directed the prohibition of the possession of firearms in the same areas. Citing Section 106(2)(a) of the National Police Service Act, Kanja directed residents to surrender all firearms in their possession immediately.
Escalating between October 4 and October 12, the inter-clan clashes began as a petty dispute over a watering point before quickly turning violent and spreading to nearby villages.
Following the release of the politicians after the grilling, the DCI stated that the five's names were forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) who will provide the way forward on whether they will be charged or not.
Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana met with the leaders following their release and joined them in urging the residents to restore peace in the region and work as a united front to stop the tribal clashes.
“We, the politicians of Tana River County, have come together to say that we are all for peace and ask all the citizens to maintain peace in Tana River. We urge you to forgive each other whenever there is a problem,” he stated.
