Garissa: Leaders from Garissa and Tana River counties have called for calm and restraint among residents following rising tensions triggered by the killing of a taxi driver early last week, even as the county police commander issued a stern warning to politicians accused of inciting violence. Community elders, inter-religious leaders, elected representatives, and security officials convened a high-level meeting at the Garissa County Commissioner’s compound in a bid to de-escalate the situation and restore normalcy after days of unrest threatened to spiral into inter-community conflict.
According to Kenya News Agency, the tensions began after a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer allegedly shot and killed a taxi driver at a police roadblock in Modika. The incident sparked outrage among residents, with some local leaders and youth organizing demonstrations to demand swift investigations and the arrest of the officer involved. However, what started as peaceful protests quickly turned chaotic after criminal elements infiltrated the demonstrations. The unrest resulted in injuries to members of the public and destruction of property, raising concerns among leaders about the deteriorating security situation.
The demonstrations soon took a dangerous turn, evolving into inter-community confrontations fueled by inflammatory remarks from some political leaders who allegedly linked the incident to tribal and religious affiliations. This escalation forced elders and religious leaders to intervene in an effort to calm the situation and prevent further violence. At the height of the tensions, angry youth were reported to have barricaded sections of the Garissa-Nairobi highway, hurling stones at motorists and public service vehicles, disrupting transport, and instilling fear among travelers.
Speaking after the meeting, elders urged residents to avoid profiling individuals based on tribe or religion and instead allow the law to take its course. ‘We want our people to treat criminals as individuals and not associate them with communities or faiths. That is the only way we can maintain unity and prevent unnecessary conflict,’ said Mohamed Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Garissa Mediation Council. He noted that insecurity and violence in the region have often been exacerbated by underlying issues such as drug abuse and lack of coordinated conflict resolution mechanisms, calling for a structured approach that brings together all stakeholders to address emerging disputes.
Madogo Member of County Assembly Juma Ali also emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence among communities in Garissa and neighboring Tana River County, noting the close social and economic ties that bind residents across the two regions. ‘We are neighbors, and our lives are interconnected. Garissa and Madogo are separated only by the River Tana, and we depend on each other for daily needs and services. We must therefore work together to maintain peace,’ he said. Juma cautioned fellow politicians against exploiting the incident for political gain, warning that divisive rhetoric based on tribal or religious identities could worsen the situation. ‘I urge my fellow leaders not to turn this into politics of tribe or religion. If an individual has committed an offense, let the government deal with that person as an individual,’ he added.
Garissa County Police Commander Samson Chelugo assured residents that investigations into the incident are ongoing and that the suspect, who is still at large, will be apprehended and brought to justice. He described the shooting as an isolated incident and appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies. ‘I want to appeal to the community to maintain peace. What happened was an isolated case, and the suspect is known. The police have the capacity to arrest that officer, and we are actively pursuing him,’ Chelugo said. At the same time, the police commander issued a strong warning to politicians accused of inciting violence, stating that security agencies will take firm action against anyone found promoting hate speech or fueling unrest. ‘We will not tolerate any form of incitement. Any individual, regardless of their status, who is found inciting the public to violence will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,’ he warned.
