ODM MP, Governor Arrested Over Inter-Clan Clashes
Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana and Galole MP Said Hiribae were arrested late Friday, October 11, for allegedly contributing to the county’s escalating inter-clan violence.
The violence, which has already claimed 14 lives, has prompted the government to take drastic measures throughout the area as officials work to restore order.
Police confirmed that the two leaders had ignored previous summonses to assist with the investigation, resulting in their arrest.
Governor Godhana and MP Hiribae are now on their way to Nairobi, where they will be questioned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) about the deadly clashes that have engulfed the region.
Gov. Dhadho Godhana Arrested:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 12, 2024
Tana River Governor Godhana arrested over skirmishes
Gov. Godhana arrested alongside Galole MP Said Hiribae
Inter-clan clashes have left over 14 people dead#CitizenWeekend @Wycliffeorandi pic.twitter.com/1OLNJqN939
As tensions rise, DCI Director Mohamed Amin described the arrests as a critical step in getting to the bottom of the violence.
Several other local leaders had responded to summons, but the governor and MP had not, further stalling the investigation.
Authorities hope that their questions will shed light on the underlying causes of the ongoing violence.
“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,” stated Mohamed.
“We are looking forward to prosecuting those who will be found culpable over what is being witnessed in Tana River when we are through with the probe.”
The arrests follow a series of interrogations involving three other Tana River County officials.
Tana River Governor Godhana Dhadho Gaddae and Galole MP Said Hiribae arrested in Mombasa after failing to respond to police summons regarding inter-clan clashes that have left 18 people dead and dozens displaced.
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) October 12, 2024
They were driven to Nairobi for questioning alongside other… pic.twitter.com/6Cqigm6XjY
Those questioned included Garsen MP Ali Wario, Bura MP Yakub Adow, and local ward representative Mohammed Jibril.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki responded to the unrest by declaring 12 locations in Tana River County as “dangerous and security disturbed.”
His statement is part of a larger effort to stabilise the volatile region, where tensions between rival clans have flared into violent confrontations.
The violence, which began with a disagreement at a watering hole, has now spread to neighboring villages, forcing hundreds of people to flee.
The security order now covers Madogo, Areri, and Mbalambala in Bangale Sub-County, as well as Hirimani, Nanighi, and Chewele in Tana North Sub-County.
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Kindiki’s declaration, which went into effect on Friday, is set to last 30 days, during which time the government will increase security and impose stricter controls on weapon possession.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja wasted no time in supporting the government’s position.
He ordered residents to surrender any firearms they owned, promising that they would be returned once the security situation had stabilized.
The move is part of a larger disarmament effort aimed at reducing the likelihood of further violence in the region.
ODM MP, Governor Arrested Over Inter-Clan Clashes
