Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2005 11:55 AM
The death toll of tribal clashes in the district of Marsabit in Kenya, has risen to 90 in a few days. According to the Kenyan government it is the biggest clash so far. Tribal clashes in the North of the East African country have a long history, due to lack of resources and the easy availability of weapons. UN under secretary Jan Egeland already expressed his concerns. President Kibaki of Kenya assured the inhabitants of the regions their safety.
On my way for reporting, leaving tomorrow morning by bus.
# re: Massacre Marsabit
7/18/2005 8:06 AM by
the killings in the marsabit region were anticipated and as usual the government was slow to act. they have intelligence information about the situation on the ground, however as usual politics carries the day. thier argument is that the terain is horrible and thus it is hard to police the area. my view is that kenay does send troops to war torn countires and regardless of the terrain they do their job. we are externalists always trying to pleas the outside not carrying what goes on in our country.
some of this people hve been armed by the politicians themslves and theefore it is hard to get them to sit down and dialogue over the current issue. the conflicts in the north have their roots and unless these differences among the tribes are addressed and political intersts among other reasons th e war , the conflicts are far from over.
the government treats this people as though they are not kenyans and they dont belong. that is why perhaps the government took so long to repsond to the attacks.
leaers you are failing your people and this is really sad. with your credentials we expected better than this.
what i would urge our leaders to do is to stop reacting(after an evet has occurred) and use early warning signs in this area to try and end the conflicts.
nothing is impossible when you set your mind on it, plan and engage the people in your efforts.