Kenya leaders rap governent over laxity in ending tribal killings

Mombasa, Kenya (PANA) - Local leaders have blamed Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki for failing to act urgently to stem insecurity after revenge attacks in Tana River Delta in the country’s coastal province, left 12 people dead several days after the killing of 50 people in the region.

Danson Mungatana, a Member of Parliament representing Garsen in the coast province, said the silence of the President in the wake of the attacks was a sign of the state’s weakness in dealing with the violence.

“The President’s silence and lack of action on this matter are worrying,” Mungatana said Friday.

The Kenya Red Cross, which sent an emergency team on the ground, said 12 people were killed and 10 were critically wounded.

In Chamwamuma village, the Red Cross said the death toll rose to 12 from four reported earlier.
Some four critically-wounded people were transferred to the Malindi hospital for treatment after sustaining  gunshot wounds.  

“The four had severe gunshot wounds,” the Red Cross said.

Other killings were reported in Tarrassa village. The Red Cross reported that 300 cattle and some 400 goats were missing after the attacks.

Fighting in the Tana River Delta has continued to flare between the local communities in the region, fighting for control of grassing and watering points.

Tribal fighting in the Southern and the North Eastern Kenya regions in recent weeks ahead of elections have emphasized the fragility of Kenya’s 42-plus ethnic groups and their ability to live harmoniously.

Kenya’s internal security ministry has in the past accused local politicians of fanning the inter-tribal tension leading to the killings last month of 50 people.

The local communities of the Orma and the coastal community, the Pokomo, have engaged in deadly fighting.

Local government administrators were recently arraigned in court and charged with failing to stop the tribal carnage.
-0- PANA AO/VAO 7Sept2012