Fresh clashes erupt in Tana Delta

Written By:Martin Mwanje,    Posted: Mon, Sep 17, 2012

More than 100 people have been killed in the last one month following clashes between Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups Fresh clashes have erupted in the volatile Tana Delta area despite the deployment of over 1000 General Service Unit Officers to beef up security in the clash prone region. In the latest onslaught, 24 houses were razed down at Burakipini village by unknown assailants despite security officers assuring area residents of their security. No casualty has been reported. The latest incident appeared to authenticate calls by area leaders on the executive to deploy the disciplined forces in the region if the clashes are to be brought to a halt. Thousands of area residents have since sought refuge in distant places such as Malindi. The new development comes even as legislators drawn from North Eastern and Coast Provinces continue to call on the government to walk the talk and bring to a halt the suffering of area residents inflicted on them by merciless militia groups, in what is billed as revenge attacks. Speaking Monday on the recent protests in Mombasa and clashes in the Tana Delta and other parts of the country that appeared to signal election related violence in the coming months, the Prime Minister Raila Odinga dispelled such fears saying the country's leaders vividly remember the tragedy that followed the elections in December 2007 and none of them want to go there again. Last week, Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko said that those who bear the greatest responsibility over the Tana River massacre will face crimes against humanity before a Special Division of the High Court. Tobiko said that he welcomed the formation of a commission of inquiry into the Tana clashes. He said the crimes committed in Tana River have all the traits of crimes against humanity. More than 100 people have been killed in the last one month following clashes between Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups who have been fighting over land and water.