Kenya: Garissa residents shot after army launches crackdown

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Criminal Reprisals-HRW Report MAY 4, 2012

 

This report provides detailed documentation of human rights abuses by the Kenya Defence Forces and the Kenyan police in apparent response to a series of grenade and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks that targeted both the security forces and civilians in North Eastern province. Rather than conducting investigations to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, both the police and army responded with violent reprisals against Kenyan citizens and Somali refugees.

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Kenya: End Security Force Reprisals in North

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

 

For Immediate Release

Thursday, November 22, 2012

 

Garissa Attack Brings Violent Response by Soldiers, Police

 

Nairobi, November 22, 2012 – The Kenyan government should end its arbitrary attacks by members of the military and others against residents of the northern region as a routine response to any attack on its security forces, Human Rights Watch said today.

 

In the most recent apparent reprisal attack, the Kenyan military responded violently on November 19, 2012, to an attack in which three soldiers were shot dead in the northern town of Garissa, almost 400 kilometers from the capital, Nairobi. Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that, immediately after the killings of the three officers, the Kenyan army surrounded the town, preventing anyone from leaving or entering, and started attacking residents and traders. The witnesses said that the military shot at people, raped women, and assaulted anyone in sight.

 

“The level of abuse by Kenyan security agencies following the Monday afternoon attack on three of its military officers is appalling and a complete contradiction of the government’s obligation to protect its citizens and guarantee their rights and freedoms,” said Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “This has become a pattern that should not be allowed to continue.”

 

The government should respect the rule of law and ensure that its security agencies follow the strict letter of the law in detaining people before handing them over to the criminal justice system, Human Rights Watch said. It should ensure there are speedy and independent criminal investigations into all the incidents in which abuses have been alleged, and those responsible should be brought to justice.

 

An employee of Garissa Provincial Hospital said at least 52 people with severe injuries had been admitted there on November 19 and 20, following the army reprisals. At least eight of those admitted had gunshot wounds. The soldiers also set fire to businesses, among them Muqti market, the Alwaqaf building, and Maua Posho Mill, the witnesses said.

 

The military remained in barracks on November 20, but regular police, administration police, and riot police continued the attacks, witnesses said. Among those admitted with gunshot wounds at Garissa Provincial Hospital were two school boys who some witnesses said had been shot on November 20 when they joined public protests against the violent security operation. But other witnesses said the students had been shot on November 19 on their way home from school.

 

“You cannot imagine the human rights abuses that are taking place in Garissa,” Aden Duale, member of parliament for Dujis Constituency of Garissa County, told Human Rights Watch within hours of the operation on November 19. “The town is burning, over 70 people have been injured, some by gunshots from the Kenya Defense Forces, women have been raped.”

 

In a May report, “Criminal Reprisals: Kenyan Police and Military Abuses Against Ethnic Somalis,” Human Rights Watch documented serious abuses by security officers in the northern region following attacks in which security officers were killed. In response to the report, the military promised to end such violent reprisals and formed a committee to investigate the abuses. There is no indication, however, that anyone in the military has been detained or investigated as a result, and the chair of the committee has since been transferred to a different position. There has also been no evidence of any investigations by police into the abuses.

 

In October Human Rights Watch again documented cases of similar abuses in Mandera and Garissa, each time in response to a grenade or gun attack on security officers. The reprisals in Garissa come barely a month later.

 

“The Kenyan government should take direct responsibility for the persistent abuses by its security forces in Northern Kenya, get them under control, and hold them to account,” Lefkow said.

 

For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Kenya, please visit:

www.hrw.org/africa/kenya

[Eng.Cadde]

Waxaa ceeb ah nin dadkii la laaynayo kadibna dadkii sidaa sameeyay qiil u raadinayo? maxey tahay dadnimada uu sheegan karo qof ceynkaa ah?

[tutu]

Fleeing bandits threaten to shoot down military choppers

 

 

Military waiting for consult with Turkana elders

 

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Updated Thursday, November 22 2012 at 11:28 GMT+3

 

The meeting between elders and the security agents is expected to endorse military airstrikes or pursuing the bandits from ground using the GSU and the Regular police who have been combing the area.

 

Rift valley PC Osman Warfa and his PPO John M’mbijjiwe and other security officials have been holding meetings with the elders to plead with their Moran’s to return the animals and guns.

 

And in Nairobi, Internal Security Minister Katoo ole Metito told Parliament only military pilots are present in Baragoi to help in the hunt for raiders who killed over 40 police officers.

 

The minister was fielding questions from MPs who queried the move to deploy the military without seeking Parliament approval.

 

But the minister said the National Security Council, chaired by President Kibaki only authorised the military to help the police in the aerial surveillance.

 

“The council authorised Kenya Defence Forces to assist the police in the operation and there are only two military planes and their pilots in Baragoi, no other military officers are present,” Mr Metito told Parliament.

 

MPs expressed concern at the turn of events that led to the killing of the officers with Ndhiwa MP Augostino Neto criticising the Government for deploying officers with little experience to such harsh terrain as Suguta Valley. On his part Wajir West MP Adan Keynan blamed the intelligence agency for sleeping on the job.

 

Turkana Central MP Ekwee Ethuro claimed the Government was targeting one community in the operation, as his Kilgoris counterpart Gideon Konchella alleged retired officers could be having a hand in the raid.

 

Although, joint units of the police and the Kenya Defence Forces have begun a massive security operation, they are yet to strike the bandits who have fled from the valley and are now heading towards Nachola area,

 

Three aircrafts have been undertaking aerial surveillance, as plans to deploy ground troops get under way.

 

However, the joint GSU and the Regular police are still combing Suguta valley to find the body of an Anti-Stock Theft officer Gucha Woche that is still missing and believed to be dead by now since the Saturday attack by the bandits.

 

During the ambush, Woche was carrying a plastic water jerican on his back. Police believe that even his body will not be found, it is this water jerican that will be used as the lead to get his uniforms

Bal kawarama waxaasi. They are LITERALLY begging the bandits that killed over 40 policemen to return the guns and not shoot down coppers. The bandits are actually calling the shots. Compare what they did to defenseless women and children. Waa cowards who are only brave enough to confront unarmed women and children.

 

Apophis, what do you make of this? You were claiming Turkana's were massacred. Is it not clear now that Somalis are treated differently? Pleas read the article from page 1 to see loads of calaacal by the security forces...I quoted page 2.

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^^^Source http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000071233&pageNo=1&story_title=Fleeing-bandits-threaten-to-shoot-down-military-choppers

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^^Are you missing the irony here? In your quote it says avoiding women and children..Were children and women of Garissa spared?

 

What evidence? Didn't I address that in my earlier posts? Have you ever heard, in Kenya's history, soldiers going on rampage on their own volition? Without orders? This is not Somalia, there's a functioning government and law and order.

 

Can you provide evidence that there was mutiny? I see you've a penchant for believing that. Mise iska dhici un bey kaa tahay?

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Apophis;892305 wrote:

You keep making positive claims with nothing to back them up

What positive claims? That rape, loot and killings took place.

 

We know the Turkana operation has the government consent thus if the security forces attack the raiders, knowing full well women and children are at risk, that would be top down malice. You have to show proof that the Garissa attacks have been planned like the Turkana operation and then your assertion maybe accepted

First of all, Turkana's operation wasn't approved by the parliament as required by the law. But their leaders were out early enough to publicize the mischief KDF were planning and thus their quietness. Secondly, time and again am telling you soldiers go by orders, at least in Kenya...You can question whether the orders were arbitrary or planned. Either way does that change or justify their actions in Garissa? By the way, I have already posted the military's spokesman acknowledging that a platoon was sent out and took part in the operation. There are investigations ordered today by the president as to apprehend those behind it.

 

 

Kenya may not be Somalia but it is still an African country and and must be understood in that context. Are you saying it's unheard of the security forces breaking the law wantonly?

Never. It's unheard of in Kenya's history. Actually it's unheard of soldiers marching without a commander. Even in countries where there's a mutiny, they always have a head. A leader. Look back the recent chaos in Mali..Soldiers don't just head out like headless chicken. So stop making such wild assumptions.

 

I don't have to provide any evidence, I'm only negating wild claims made in this thread. The burden of evidence is on the shoulders of those making positive claims.

It's on you to prove that they were not ordered as you are claiming so.

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Apophis;892305 wrote:

 

I'm only negating wild claims made in this thread.

What wild claims are you alluding to?

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Kenya's Prime minister says government behind Garissa's rampage and should pay up.

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33 chiefs sacked in Garissa over claims of laxity amid insecurity

 

Monday, November 26, 2012

By Boniface Ongeri

 

GARISSA; KENYA: A senior State offi cial has sacked 33 chiefs and their assistants in Garissa town and its environs for allegedly failing to help stop terror attacks in the area.

In the move likely to draw criticism from residents and legislators, North Eastern Provincial Commissioner

 

Ernest Munyi also suspended issuance of national identity cards (IDs) in the area.

 

Munyi said he sacked the chiefs for alleged laxity in the fight against Al Shabaab militants, claiming they had taken for granted recent attacks on State security officers in the town.

 

“The chiefs are not helping us with crucial information we need to help end the Al Shabaab menace in the town. They have taken the killings ofour security offi cers and civilians as sack all of them,” Munyi told journalists in his office.

 

But several chiefs and their assistants who spoke to The Standard on condition of anonymity said the PC had not communicated the sacking to them.

 

“We have been holding a series of meetings with the residents to appeal for assistance. We have risked our lives to condemn the Al Shabaab attacks and if it is true that we have been sacked then that is sad,” one of the chiefs lamented.

 

“Someone should take responsibility for the deteriorating insecurity in the town. We are being used as sacrificial lambs and scapegoats for someone’s failure,” another said.

 

On suspension of ID cards issuance, Munyi explained non-Kenyans were illegally acquiring the crucial document.

 

“We have observed that the identity cards vetting committees are continuing issuing ID cards to people who are not Kenyans. Until we control the situation, issuance of the cards has been stopped with immediate effect,” said Munyi.

 

He said some of the people getting the identity cards were aliens who are using the documents to engage in illegal trade.

 

Munyi said there are many foreign visitors in the town and it is the responsibility of the chiefs and their assistants to monitor their activities.

 

Security meetings

 

He said he held security meetings with the chiefs pleading for their assistance, but it was not forthcoming.

 

The sackings came after the killing of three soldiers by suspected Al Shabaab militants that sparked rampage by the military.

 

Yesterday our sister paper, The Standard on Sunday carried a special report titled “State of Lawlessness”, that deplored the rising insecurity and highlighted the lip service the Government pays intelligence reports warning of possible attacks.

 

Munyi said the murders of security officers, subsequent killing of two and injuring of over 50 civilians was unfortunate and said investigations over violence are ongoing.

 

Munyi blamed the spate of deadly attacks in the town to aliens.

 

“We cannot lose so many innocent lives of citizens and security officers while the chiefs are silent. It is because of that that I have decided to sack the chiefs in Township locality,” he said.

 

Garissa County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim said one person was arrested in connection with the killing of the soldiers and is assisting police in investigations.

 

Garissa has borne the brunt of most terror attacks since the Kenya Defence Forces launched an onslaught against Al Shabaab militants in Somalia.

 

Suspected militants and their sympathisers are believed to be responsible for several attacks on churches and security officers in the town leading to the death of over 25 people.

 

The PC also said the government will launch a crackdown on vehicles flouting traffic rules in Garissa town.

 

“There are (unmarked) taxis operating without yellow lines and vehicles with tinted windows and we will crack down on them because we have established that some have been used by terrorists to commit crimes in Garissa,” he said.

 

He assured all efforts were being made to restore security in the town and residents should go about their business without fear.

 

Meanwhile, two Parliamentary committees met the Provincial and District Committees separately on Saturday over security.The National Security Committee led by chairman Fred Kapondi barred journalists from covering their meeting.

 

Revenge attacks

 

However, at a press briefing later, another committee called for the immediate transfer of Somalia National Army (SNA) soldiers admitted at the Garissa Provincial Hospital, for security reasons.

 

The Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee Chairman Aden Keynan said the 28 officers admitted at the hospital are targets of revenge attacks by Al Shabaab sympathisers and pose a serious security risk to staff, patients and visitors to the facility.

 

“The Kenya Government has an understanding with the African Mission in Somalia (Amisom) to treat the (SNA) soldiers who are injured fighting Al Shabaab. Nevertheless, the Somalia soldiers should be transferred to Forces Memorial Hospital (in Nairobi) and not be mixed with civilians,” he said.

 

Separately, officials from the Ministry of Special Programmes assessing the damage sparked by the killing of three soldiers said the destruction of properties was overwhelming.

 

Led by Assistant Minister Mohammed Gabow, the assessors said most of the affected traders would need financial assistance to start afresh.

Gabow said it would be especially difficult for small-scale traders to recover without help. “We are talking of more than 800 traders with more than 40,000 direct dependents. Something needs to be done to compensate the victims,” Gabow pleaded.

 

On Saturday, Special Programmes Minister, Esther Murugi scoffed at Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s request that her ministry compensate victims of last week’s riots, saying she cannot obey a roadside directive.

 

But Gabow said he would table his findings for special consideration and compensation for genuine traders.

 

http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2012/Nov/27032/33_chiefs_sacked_in_garissa_over_claims_of_laxity_amid_insecurity.aspx

[tutu]

So,

who gave orders for the Garissa operation?

 

 

 

By AHMEDNASSIR ABDULLAHI

Posted Saturday, November 24 2012 at 17:3

 

Two incidents that portray Kenya’s security forces in a very unflattering and revolting light occurred in the past two weeks.

 

Although the incidents took place in Samburu and Garissa counties, the cause, the consequences and the official reaction by the government couldn’t have been more starkly different.

 

In Samburu, assailants believed to be from Turkana County killed more than 40 police officers in cold blood.

 

Apart from trying to prosecute politicians from the Turkana community, there were no reprisals or even an attempt to pursue perpetrators of the heinous crime. The government meekly kept mum.

 

In the Garissa incident, unknown assailants believed to be members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group killed three soldiers. The government’s reaction was swift and brutal. Soldiers from the local army garrison went on the rampage.

 

Live bullets were fired indiscriminately on an unarmed civilian population.

 

Members of security forces set on fire residential houses, a factory, shops, hotels, and a market.

 

Whereas there was killing, looting and burning of property in Garissa, in Turkana, the government showed commendable restraint.

 

So why did the government act so swiftly and violently in Garissa and so timidly in Samburu? The answer lies in the history of the Northern Frontier District (NFD).

 

It must be appreciated that Kenya’s security forces have a long history of committing gross human rights violations against civilian populations in northern Kenya.

 

Some of these atrocities are well documented. In 1982, Garissa town was torched after bandits killed a police officer in the town.

 

In 1984, security forces killed scores of people in the infamous Wagalla massacre in Wajir.

 

Another smaller massacre -- the Malkamerey in Mandera -- also occurred in northern Kenya.

 

It is well known that northern Kenya was under emergency law between 1963 and 1992, when the Constitution deleted the emergency powers of the government over northern Kenya.

 

So when the government let loose security forces on an unarmed civilian population to seek revenge for the killing of three soldiers, the security men were acting in the context of their historical transgression against civilians in northern Kenya.

 

The Garissa incident also provided an opportune moment for the government to send a strong signal and remind the people of Garissa of their place in the country.

 

The message being that after almost 50 years of independence, northern Kenya and its inhabitants are not truly part of Kenya.

 

The Army is seen by a majority of inhabitants of northern Kenya as an occupying Army. It is not seen as an indigenous force that is part of the local people. The Kenyan Army also sees as its primary duty to protect the rest of the country from inhabitants of northern Kenya.

 

That has been the Army’s strategic understanding of its role in the defence of the country.

 

A number of troubling issues arise in the Garissa incident. Who ordered the security forces to undertake the Garissa operation?

 

The Minister for Defence, Mr Yusuf Haji, a native of Garissa, is rightly embarrassed by this incident. He stated that he did not authorise the operation and was unaware of what was happening.

 

This raises a fundamental issue. First it rules out the possibility that the operation was a riotous action by the local commander and his soldiers.

 

It is more probable that the President gave the order. The buck stops with the President whenever members of the Army achieve success or commit acts of infamy.

 

He is their Commander-in-Chief. In the military command chain, he is the ultimate authority. So did President Kibaki order the operation? An urgent answer to this question is needed.

 

Ahmednasir Abdullahi is the publisher, Nairobi Law Monthly

ahmednasir@yahoo.com

A frequent blogger of Nation's newspaper. A lawyer and former High Court Jugde of Somali origin.

[tutu]

^^ A government consists of different departments with different duties and responsibilities. Every department is independent of the other. But every department's actions ,though independent in it's implementation, are the government's actions, fahamtu?

 

Now, Ahmednasir acknowledges the government being behind the rampage but asks who (the particular department or individual) gave this particular order to maim people of Garissa. Was it the chief-of-staff (the president), the minster of defense, the provincial security team , the district security team or the local commander at Garissa Garrison? All in all the buck lies with the president at the end of the day as the head of the government.

[NGONGE]

^^ And the president is going to deny it then take steps to correct the matter and prevent any such incidents from taking place in the future. These steps are more than likely to consist of the sacking of the defence minister (the alleged Garrisa born Yusuf Haji).

 

This stuff is better than fiction!

[tutu]

The Minister for Defence, Mr Yusuf Haji, a native of Garissa, is rightly embarrassed by this incident. He stated that he did not authorise the operation and was unaware of what was happening.

 

This raises a fundamental issue. First it rules out the possibility that the operation was a riotous action by the local commander and his soldiers.

 

It is more probable that the President gave the order. The buck stops with the President whenever members of the Army achieve success or commit acts of infamy.

It's atypical of Kenyan army undertaking a mission without orders. Never did they dare or can they dare defy their superiors. That's an inherent belief Kenyan have as far as history is concerned. I've vocalized this many times.

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NGONGE;893011 wrote:

^^ And

the president is going to deny it

then take steps to correct the matter and prevent any such incidents from taking place in the future. These steps are more than likely to consist of the sacking of the defence minister (the alleged Garrisa born Yusuf Haji).

That's the usual in this end of the wood. The bucket never stops anywhere. Aid intended for school children can disappear without trace, and the minister in charge is not responsible. Resignations are unheard of in Kenya. Few court hearings without convictions and voila! The issue is trashed and life goes on. This is no different. We're just fond of taking advantage in the pleasure of finger-pointing.

 

 

This stuff is better than fiction!

Which part was fictional? Of course it's better than fiction. It's real.