Sophist Posted October 20, 2005 Government to repatriate 10,000 Oromo herdsmen By Musembi Nzengu THE government is set to repatriate more than 10,000 Oromo herdsmen who have been living in parts of North Eastern Province back to Somalia. The Eastern Provincial Commissioner, Mr John Nandasaba, yesterday said a three-week joint military operation would be mounted to eject them from the country at an undisclosed date. “They have ignored several government orders to leave the country, including the last one by President Kibaki two months ago,†said the PC, adding that no more ultimatums would be issued. Nandasaba said the foreigners sneaked into the country disguised as Kenyan Somalis in search of pasture for their cattle but are believed to be responsible for the illegal poaching in national game reserves and parks. According to the PC, the foreigners were scattered in parts of Kitui, Mwingi and Isiolo districts. Intelligence reports were putting their number to more than 10,000, with a heavy presence of the armed immigrants hiding in the Kora Game Reserve in Mwingi District and Kitui South Game Reserve. Speaking at Nguni Health Centre in Mwingi during the Kenya Revenue Authority’s 10th anniversary celebrations, the PC conceded that only a military operation backed by at least three helicopters, would succeed in driving out the huge number of the population. “They pose a serious security risk to the livelihood of the local communities that border the national parks and game reserves because many of them are armed,†Nandasaba said. Other News Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
