The Regional Security Committee and the Garissa County Government have suspended all gypsum mining activities, land allocation, and demarcation in Garissa.
These resolutions emerged from a day-long meeting that convened officials from the Garissa County Government and members of both the Regional and County Security Committees at the Garissa Farmers Training Centre (FTC). The meeting was convened in response to the tragic loss of nine lives in two separate incidents in the area just two days prior.
Speaking to the press outside the FTC Hall, John Otieno, the North Eastern Regional Commissioner, stated that the objective of the gathering was to find a sustainable solution to the escalating insecurity within Garissa town.
“As recent events have shown, six young men lost their lives at the hands of criminals. These are bandits who must not be allowed to operate unchecked and claim lives recklessly,” Otieno affirmed.
He continued, “In light of this, the security teams have received clear instructions to address these criminals with unwavering resolve. Security patrols within the town will be intensified.”
Otieno assured that the County Security Team, with the participation of Garissa Senator Abdul Haji, Garissa Township MP Mohamed Barre Dekow, and Garissa Women Representative Hudgon Siyat, among others, would diligently implement all the resolutions formulated during the meeting.
He emphasized that the security teams have been explicitly tasked with apprehending the perpetrators behind the recent attack, vowing that swift action will be taken.
“Collaborating with the governor’s office, we are committed to resolving the factors contributing to the insecurity in Garissa town and its surroundings, enabling citizens to conduct their businesses within a secure environment free from fear,” Otieno remarked.
Governor Nathif Jama of Garissa condemned the recent attacks, expressing deep concern alongside other local leaders.
Governor Nathif, who conveyed the decisions reached during the meeting, appealed to the residents of Garissa to exercise restraint, maintain composure, and refrain from engaging in retaliatory actions.
“We are working closely with the county and regional security committees to address the underlying issues that may have led to these attacks. We urge the residents to allow the security committees and us, their elected leaders, to tackle these concerns. Let us exercise restraint and refrain from reprisal attacks,” Governor Nathif urged.
He disclosed that the meeting had identified certain causes of the conflicts and skirmishes, and called upon the county security team to apprehend the culprits promptly. He highlighted that this responsibility lies with them.
The meeting also mandated a comprehensive disarmament of all illegal firearms held by unauthorized individuals within Garissa County.
Governor Nathif further reported that the meeting endorsed the cessation of all gypsum mining within the county. He emphasized, “Starting next week on Monday, no gypsum-laden trucks will be permitted to cross the Tana Bridge Police barrier. Gypsum mining has significantly contributed to the unrest within the County.”
Additionally, the governor announced the suspension of all plot allocations and demarcations until full security is restored.
