•Community and Local Leaders Demand Accountability and Justice
Tensions are running high in Holugho sub-county, Garissa County, following a violent incident in Kurunjo village on Sunday, where security forces allegedly attacked residents, resulting in the death of a pastoralist and leaving 15 others seriously injured.
The incident has sparked outrage among local leaders and human rights advocates, who are calling for accountability and a re-evaluation of security operations in the region.
The Attack: Witnesses Describe a Brutal Assault
According to eyewitnesses, armed personnel traveling from Holugho to Boni Forest stopped in Kurunjo village and proceeded to assault locals who were tending to their livestock.
Survivors of the attack described the incident as unprovoked and excessive, with uniformed officers allegedly using brute force against unarmed civilians.
The deceased, Abdi Sadow Mohamed, 56, was buried locally, while the injured were airlifted to Manda, Lamu, for urgent medical attention.
Khalif Farah, one of the injured victims, recounted the ordeal, stating that the officers dismissed their pleas of innocence before unleashing a wave of beatings.
“We tried telling them that we had absolutely no idea where the al-Shabaab were and that all we were doing was grazing and watering our animals. But they could hear none of that. What followed was kicks, blows, and thorough whipping,” Farah said.
Another survivor, Aden Hussein, who suffered rib fractures, expressed shock at the level of aggression displayed by the security officers.
“These people were in uniforms and wore balaclavas. What shocked us is the level of anger that they displayed to us; beating us like we had committed a crime,” he stated.
The incident has left residents shaken and frustrated, raising concerns over the security forces’ approach to law enforcement and counterterrorism operations in the region.
Political and Community Response
The attack has drawn condemnation from leaders, with ODM-nominated MP Umulkheir Harun strongly criticizing the actions of the security forces.
She described the assault as a violation of human rights and called for better coordination between law enforcement agencies and local communities.
“It is utterly disheartening to witness people being subjected to exploitation and abuse. We keep telling the government, whether it is the police or the military, that you cannot work in a community in this manner,” Harun stated.
She further questioned the rationale behind the military offering medical evacuation services to victims after being the perpetrators of the violence.
“The military beats people and again offers evacuation. Why beat them in the first place?” she posed.
Community members echoed these concerns, questioning the repeated use of force against civilians and the lack of accountability for past incidents of human rights violations in the region.
Security Operations and Allegations of Excessive Force
The attack in Kurunjo comes amid growing concerns over the conduct of security forces in northern Kenya, where extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and excessive use of force have been reported in previous counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) recently published a report accusing security agencies of committing serious human rights violations under ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili.’
The operation, aimed at flushing out suspected members of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), reportedly led to widespread abuses, including killings, torture, and theft in Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
The report highlights the security forces’ involvement in extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and looting, including the theft of livestock and motorcycles from civilians.
Despite the gravity of these allegations, no leaders from Isiolo, including Senator Fatuma Dullo—who chairs the Senate Committee on National Security—have publicly addressed the report.
These concerns have resonated among netizens, with some comparing the silence of their leaders to the outspokenness of Umulkheir Harun, who has been vocal about security issues affecting her community.
A Broader Pattern of Militarized Policing?
The events in Holugho fit into a larger pattern of heavy-handed security operations in Kenya’s northern and coastal regions, often justified under the guise of counterterrorism efforts against al-Shabaab and other militant groups.
However, many residents argue that these operations frequently target innocent civilians, further alienating communities rather than fostering cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The ongoing drought has exacerbated tensions, with many pastoralists moving their livestock to areas that recently received rainfall.
However, security personnel have responded with aggressive operations, including home and livestock searches, intensifying fears and frustrations among local communities.
Calls for Accountability and Justice
In response to the incident, Senator Umulkheir Harun has reached out to security officials, demanding immediate action and accountability.
“Such injustice, especially as we observe our fast, is unacceptable,” she stated, referring to the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.
Community leaders are urging the government to ensure that security operations are conducted with fairness, transparency, and respect for human rights.
The demand for an independent investigation into the Kurunjo incident is growing, with calls for those responsible to be held accountable.
As tensions continue to rise in Holugho, the incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for dialogue, trust-building, and a more community-centered approach to security operations in northern Kenya.
Without meaningful reforms, the cycle of violence and mistrust between security forces and local populations is likely to persist, further destabilizing the region.
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