•Grave Abuses Uncovered in Isiolo and Marsabit as Security Forces Face Scrutiny
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has released a damning report detailing serious human rights violations committed during the ongoing ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili’, a security operation launched by the National Police Service (NPS) in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties on February 3, 2025.
While acknowledging the need for security measures to combat criminal activities in the region, the commission expressed deep concern and condemnation over what it describes as excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and intimidation of civilians.
The report underscores a pattern of abuse and lawlessness, exposing what locals have long decried as unchecked brutality by security forces operating under the guise of restoring peace.
Pattern of Violations: Summary of Key Incidents
The KNCHR report highlights a series of alarming incidents that paint a picture of a community under siege, where innocent civilians are subjected to inhumane treatment, property seizures, and outright violence.
1. Fatal Shooting of Galgalo Abkul Boru (February 23, 2025)
One of the most shocking cases detailed in the report is the killing of Galgalo Abkul Boru, a local herder who was gunned down by security officers at Belgesh area.
Reports indicate that officers on patrol fired multiple bullets at a bodaboda rider and his passenger, Galgalo, killing him on the spot while the rider suffered severe head and hand injuries.
Witnesses claim that heavy weaponry, possibly mortar shells or RPGs, was used in the attack, raising questions about the proportionality of force applied against unarmed civilians.
2. Enforced Disappearances and Abductions
The report also documents seven cases of enforced disappearances, with victims taken from different locations.
One of the victims, Idris Edin, was abducted on February 22, 2025, and remains missing.
Eyewitnesses say a group of armed police officers raided multiple homes, subjected innocent civilians to physical assault, unlawful detention, and intimidation, before whisking the men away.
Disturbingly, families who attempted to report their missing loved ones at Isiolo and Garba Tulla police stations were met with refusal by law enforcement to record statements.
3. Torture of Local Leaders and Medical Personnel
On February 7, 2025, security officers allegedly harassed, assaulted, and detained overnight the Chief of Malka Daka, a local medic, and two other civilians.
The incident highlights targeted intimidation of community leaders and professionals, raising concerns about the deliberate suppression of dissenting voices.
4. Arbitrary Arrests and Beatings
On March 3, 2025, ten locals—two in Malka Daka and eight in Iress Aboru—were reportedly rounded up and beaten by security officers.
Such mass detentions without legal basis further indicate systematic abuse under the ongoing operation.
5. Detaining a Five-Year-Old to Force a Surrender
One of the most disturbing accounts involves the arrest of a five-year-old child, allegedly used as a bargaining tool to force his father to surrender to the authorities.
The KNCHR condemns this as a clear violation of children’s rights, instilling deep fear and trauma within the affected communities.
6. Confiscation of Property and Livelihood Destruction
Security officers have also been accused of seizing property without legal justification, including the confiscation of 150 goats and several motorbikes.
Such actions violate property rights and exacerbate economic hardship for affected families, many of whom rely on livestock as their primary means of livelihood.
A Community Under Siege: Fear, Intimidation, and Lack of Oversight
The KNCHR report paints a bleak picture of communities living in perpetual fear, subjected to arbitrary detentions, violence, and destruction of property under the cover of a security operation.
Eyewitness testimonies suggest that law enforcement agencies have deliberately obstructed justice, refusing to cooperate with victims’ families or allow them to file complaints.
This culture of impunity raises serious concerns about the lack of oversight and accountability in the execution of ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili.’
KNCHR Demands Action and Accountability
In response to these disturbing revelations, the KNCHR has called for immediate action to hold security officers accountable and provide justice for the victims.
The commission is now actively pursuing independent investigations, including filing court applications for habeas corpus to locate missing persons. It has also issued five urgent recommendations:
- Independent Investigations by IPOA:
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) must launch a thorough inquiry into the abuses documented, particularly the killing of Galgalo Abkul Boru, the abduction of Idris Edin, and the torture of local civilians. - Accountability of Security Officers:
The National Police Service must ensure officers responsible for these crimes are prosecuted and held to the highest legal standards. - Support for Affected Families:
The National and County Governments, along with humanitarian organizations, must provide immediate assistance—including psychological support, legal aid, and financial relief for families displaced or affected by the operation. - Transparency in Law Enforcement:
Security forces must uphold transparency and accountability, ensuring all actions comply with human rights laws to restore public trust. - Declaration of Seized Property:
The police must account for all confiscated items, including the 150 goats and motorbikes, and ensure they are lawfully processed as exhibits in court rather than unlawfully appropriated.
Public and Political Reactions
The KNCHR report has been welcomed by locals, many of whom felt abandoned by both the government and the media.
On social media, Isiolo residents have hailed the commission’s findings as crucial for historical record and future legal action, possibly even at the International Criminal Court (ICC) or International Court of Justice (ICJ).
However, the report has also amplified criticism of local leaders, particularly Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan (Guyo), for their continued silence despite multiple appeals from the community.
Residents are demanding that their leaders speak out and push for justice, especially now that the scale of the abuses has been officially documented.
One leader under particular scrutiny is Senator Fatuma Dullo, recently elected as the Senate National Security Committee Chairperson.
Given that ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili’ falls under her oversight, locals are calling on her to intervene immediately and ensure justice for victims.
A Test for Kenya’s Commitment to Human Rights
The revelations from the KNCHR report place significant pressure on the Kenyan government to uphold its constitutional commitment to human rights.
While national security remains a priority, it cannot come at the expense of fundamental rights and freedoms.
As the world watches, the response of President William Ruto’s administration and Kenyan law enforcement agencies will be a litmus test for the country’s democracy and rule of law.
For now, the people of Isiolo and Marsabit remain hopeful that this report marks the beginning of accountability, and that justice—long denied—will finally be served.
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