This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
On November 6, 2019, a brutal attack in Sagante/Jardesa, Marsabit County, left 13 people dead, including three police officers. The incident sparked a massive manhunt, and on the weekend, police arrested four suspects, including a politician, an assistant chief, a retired chief, and a driver who had transported one of the injured attackers to seek medical attention.
Police recovered 158 heads of cattle and 70 goats during the operation. The arrests were made under the leadership of County Commissioner Evans Achoki, who vowed to crack down on those inciting locals to violence. “No one will be spared in the crackdown as long as there is enough evidence to sustain legal suits. We have also put FM stations on notice against inciting locals,” he said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i also weighed in on the issue, stating that the government would deal with politicians found inciting people to violence. A new border-patrol unit will be established in the area to maintain law and order. Matiang’i had already met leaders from the region to discuss conflicts in the larger northern region.
“We have already met and mapped out modalities to deal with this issue once and for all,” Matiang’i said. The government is also trailing political leaders and other individuals suspected of funding militant activities.
