Let the voice of reason prevail in defusing the clan tensions in Garissa
What was initially a plot dispute in Garissa has since escalated into a mini sub-clan war. Reports have it that there are three people killed and scores injured. Several houses have also been burnt and tension running high. Though this is not an entirely new phenomenon in North Eastern Province (NEP), the frequency and intensity of the same had subsided over the years, especially during the tenure of the affable Mohamud Salah, who was once the Provincial Commissioner.
Looks like we are now going back to the old days; an era that, with the naming of Garissa as the safest town in East and Central Africa, I thought was of the past. But, I might have been wrong about that. Though I don’t want to be the prophet of doom, here, the prospects for our town, especially with the advent of the new Constitution, looks gloomy. I say this because campaigns for general elections in Kenya are synonymous with tribal clashes in many parts of the country. Now that the sub-clan enclaves purporting to be districts have been abolished and in place counties amalgamating several of these districts established, the situation in NEP becomes very tricky indeed.
Clanism among the Somalis is quite rampant. The allegiance of the individual in most cases lies with the clan rather than the country they reside in, or even their religion. This helps in instilling a coherent social order, though the same can be utilized negatively by some chauvinists. All they need is just a small excuse, like the opportunities a petty land dispute will present to such fanatics, to fan animosity between clans that hitherto lived in peace.
Sadly, the typical Somali in Kenya has distrust for authorities and anything governmental. This being brought about by the several decades of subjugation under the notorious emergency laws. The clan elders, on the other hand, seem to thrive in dispensing justice to the highest bidder. The politicians, too, are a hopeless lot not famed for their impartiality. Thus, the only known way to solve the smallest of a problem is through the laws of the jungles. Unfortunately, the sane voices of many a religious leader gets lost in such confusions. Not that the latter are all above reproach and without blemish, too.
Even though one death is one too many, the situation in Garissa is still not out of hand yet. The government, therefore, need not only do something but be seen doing the same. We just can’t afford to let a small dispute escalate into a Mogadishu. The people involved in this dispute, and indeed the residents of the whole province, need to be informed of the importance of the judiciary. This is where the civil society, if any exists in NEP, is required to do a good job in ensuring that the locals know what their rights and obligations are as citizens.
The politicians shouldn’t see this as an avenue to flex muscles with opponents. We shouldn’t allow anybody to play with the lives of the very subjects they are ideally supposed to defend. Even despite the fact that Garissa will now be a county comprising of the four constituencies of Dujis Fafi, Ijara and Lagdera, no member of any sub-clan should be deluded that theirs deserves a bigger portion of any pie that will be shared. After all, our little history has shown us that no individual, no matter how lofty their position in government has been, has selflessly served his subjects. They have all been known to get into elected positions just for the benefit of their immediate relations and to accumulate wealth, nothing more than that.
Therefore, though the issue so far does not seem to be related to the 2012 general elections, the same shouldn’t be allowed to take centre stage and drain our meager resources in ensuring safety and security for all. No one should also be given the chance to take advantage of this unfortunate happening to whip clan emotions into an alignment with 2012 in mind. Regardless of who gets elected or selected for whatever position, the bread on our tables would not get any sweeter, if most of the residents of the province can afford it in the first place.
I am not even sure whether a plot in Garissa is worth dying for. Garissa, though expanding at a very fast rate, is nothing but a big slum. Whole sections of the town can not be accessed by roads. There are no playgrounds or other recreational facilities. The ‘city in the making’ lacks a sewerage system and the municipal council has been reduced to a rent seeking entity that does not provide the reciprocal services. It is, thus, very important that we respect the rule of law and allow justice to take its course. We should also strive to stop this senseless killings and the destruction of property. I pray for the voice of reason to prevail.
Looks like we are now going back to the old days; an era that, with the naming of Garissa as the safest town in East and Central Africa, I thought was of the past. But, I might have been wrong about that. Though I don’t want to be the prophet of doom, here, the prospects for our town, especially with the advent of the new Constitution, looks gloomy. I say this because campaigns for general elections in Kenya are synonymous with tribal clashes in many parts of the country. Now that the sub-clan enclaves purporting to be districts have been abolished and in place counties amalgamating several of these districts established, the situation in NEP becomes very tricky indeed.
Clanism among the Somalis is quite rampant. The allegiance of the individual in most cases lies with the clan rather than the country they reside in, or even their religion. This helps in instilling a coherent social order, though the same can be utilized negatively by some chauvinists. All they need is just a small excuse, like the opportunities a petty land dispute will present to such fanatics, to fan animosity between clans that hitherto lived in peace.
Sadly, the typical Somali in Kenya has distrust for authorities and anything governmental. This being brought about by the several decades of subjugation under the notorious emergency laws. The clan elders, on the other hand, seem to thrive in dispensing justice to the highest bidder. The politicians, too, are a hopeless lot not famed for their impartiality. Thus, the only known way to solve the smallest of a problem is through the laws of the jungles. Unfortunately, the sane voices of many a religious leader gets lost in such confusions. Not that the latter are all above reproach and without blemish, too.
Even though one death is one too many, the situation in Garissa is still not out of hand yet. The government, therefore, need not only do something but be seen doing the same. We just can’t afford to let a small dispute escalate into a Mogadishu. The people involved in this dispute, and indeed the residents of the whole province, need to be informed of the importance of the judiciary. This is where the civil society, if any exists in NEP, is required to do a good job in ensuring that the locals know what their rights and obligations are as citizens.
The politicians shouldn’t see this as an avenue to flex muscles with opponents. We shouldn’t allow anybody to play with the lives of the very subjects they are ideally supposed to defend. Even despite the fact that Garissa will now be a county comprising of the four constituencies of Dujis Fafi, Ijara and Lagdera, no member of any sub-clan should be deluded that theirs deserves a bigger portion of any pie that will be shared. After all, our little history has shown us that no individual, no matter how lofty their position in government has been, has selflessly served his subjects. They have all been known to get into elected positions just for the benefit of their immediate relations and to accumulate wealth, nothing more than that.
Therefore, though the issue so far does not seem to be related to the 2012 general elections, the same shouldn’t be allowed to take centre stage and drain our meager resources in ensuring safety and security for all. No one should also be given the chance to take advantage of this unfortunate happening to whip clan emotions into an alignment with 2012 in mind. Regardless of who gets elected or selected for whatever position, the bread on our tables would not get any sweeter, if most of the residents of the province can afford it in the first place.
I am not even sure whether a plot in Garissa is worth dying for. Garissa, though expanding at a very fast rate, is nothing but a big slum. Whole sections of the town can not be accessed by roads. There are no playgrounds or other recreational facilities. The ‘city in the making’ lacks a sewerage system and the municipal council has been reduced to a rent seeking entity that does not provide the reciprocal services. It is, thus, very important that we respect the rule of law and allow justice to take its course. We should also strive to stop this senseless killings and the destruction of property. I pray for the voice of reason to prevail.
posted by Baqad at
6:06 PM
6 Comments:
Nothing bt the truth, keep it my bro. The flow is gud.
What we thought was wholy dead, was simply taking one big rest! I fear, alot more of the kind is just in store..........
great piece...
Thanks guys - Anonymous, Justice and Aminay.
Ukabila Mbali,
Kenya Yetu ni Moja,
Taifa Moja,
Imara Tuijenge,
Jamuhuri ya Kenya.
At one in the history of Garissa, the greatest menace was monkeys, hyenas, and elephants. The entire Garissa Kidogo or Garissa Yarey area used to be a forest teeming with all sorts of wild animals. That is where we used to get our fruits. I mean there was plenty of Mandharuug, Dheekaa etc. Soko Mjinga or Suuq Mugdi used to be a graveyard for prominent figures who fought for the liberation of Garissa.
In the olden days, Garissa had two gates manned by armed personnel. Whoever entered the town was required to pick up a metalic ID from the askaris manning the gates. At the end of the day, those leaving the town were required to return their IDs to the same gatekeepers.
Garissa had only two primary schools: Jaribu and Garissa Primary Schools. Later on, Garissa Boys Town was built by Consolata Catholic Center. So, consolata is Italian and it means consulate; meaning the center represented the Vatican or should I say the Catholic Church. Prominent figures at this center included Father John, Brother Mario Petrino, and Father Baldazo. I did some research and found out that Brother Mario Petrino died in Canada even though he was an American citizen. I do not know of any Somali who was proselytized by the center. The center introduced modern agricultural techniques to the province.
Thanks Anonymous for your insightful history of Garissa. Having been a teenager in the 90s, we could only find mandharuug in Baraza Park. Thanks once again.
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