Isiolo County Commissioner Urges Residents To Report Gun-Wielding Members Of Militia Groups

Police in Isiolo have intensified the search for suspected gun-wielding members of militia groups who have fled Marsabit county due to the ongoing police operation and have sought refuge in parts of the neighboring county of Isiolo.

While flagging off a peace walk in Isiolo town, the county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding urged residents to volunteer crucial information to the police if they come across suspicious activity, while at the same time sounding a warning to anyone found hiding the suspects. He noted that the objective of the County security team was to have all the armed suspected militia members arrested before the election date, arguing that their intentions remain unclear.

 Omonding called upon members of the public to maintain peace during and after elections and commended youths and women groups for coming up with initiatives to preach peace.  

 The county commissioner also urged residents to shun clan politics that could contribute to provoking tension among residents.

 Duncan Kimathi, a youth from Kiwanjani area in Wabera ward, urged fellow youths not to be used by politicians to cause tension and conflict among residents.

Fabian Kiriinya, a youth leader from the Wabera Networking Initiative, said that youths from the various ethnic communities living in the cosmopolitan County of Isiolo came together to form the lobby group to advocate for peace and help sensitize members of the public on the need for the different communities and religious groups living in Isiolo town to embrace peaceful coexistence.

Nairobi County assembly leader of Majority Abdi Ibrahim Guyo who is eying the Isiolo Governor’s seat also called upon those responsible for the alleged trooping of armed people from the neighboring Marsabit County into Isiolo to desist from polarizing the County that has been peaceful for ages, even as Marsabit experienced endless tribal clashes.

During a meeting with members of the Garre community last evening, Guyo warned that elections cannot be won through violence, urging members of the public to turn out on August 9th to cast their votes and leave security matters to the Government authorities.

 He pledged to prioritize the security of the people of Isiolo through fostering good relations with the neighboring counties of Garissa, Wajir, Samburu, and Marsabit whose border areas have remained volatile if elected Governor.