Banissa, Mandera County| In a bid to de-escalate rising tensions and restore calm following the brutal killing of six family members in Murutho village, the Garre and Degodia communities held a high-level inter-community peace dialogue in Banissa, Mandera County.
The meeting, organized by the national government and facilitated by Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako, brought together local leaders, elders, security officials, and residents in a united call for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
The dialogue followed recent violent incidents that had raised fears of retaliatory attacks and further instability in the region.
Commissioner Ochako, who chaired the forum, assured the public that the government is taking decisive action to ensure justice for the victims of the Murutho killings and to prevent further bloodshed.
“Those responsible for this heinous act are known. We are actively pursuing them, and they will face the full force of the law,” Ochako stated firmly.
He emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance stance on inter-communal violence and cautioned against any retaliatory actions, warning that such moves would only exacerbate the fragile security situation.
He urged the communities to embrace dialogue and cooperation as the only path toward lasting peace.
“Let this be the last such incident. We will not allow senseless killings to continue under our watch,” he warned.
The dialogue also saw strong participation from regional leaders, including Mandera Senator Ali Roba, who condemned the Murutho killings in the strongest terms.
“As leaders, we find no apparent cause or justification for such a senseless loss of life. We urge all residents to stay calm and maintain unity during this difficult time,” Senator Roba said.
“We stand with the bereaved families and the entire community. This is a shared tragedy, and we must face it together with resolve and compassion.”
Senator Roba also reaffirmed the leadership’s commitment to working with law enforcement, community elders, and civil society to prevent further violence and support peacebuilding initiatives.
Elders from both the Garre and Degodia communities echoed these sentiments and pledged to play an active role in fostering harmony, discouraging hate speech, and encouraging residents to report individuals engaged in criminal activities. They emphasized the need to strengthen cultural bonds and shared values that have historically united the two communities.
Commissioner Ochako called on community leaders to assist in identifying suspects involved in the Murutho incident and to promote cooperation with security forces.
“We must work together to root out the few individuals trying to destabilize our region. Peace is the foundation for development,” he said.
The Banissa peace dialogue is part of ongoing efforts by the Mandera County Government, in collaboration with national authorities and peace-focused organizations, to build social cohesion, prevent cycles of violence, and ensure the region remains on the path to sustainable development.
Participants agreed to hold regular consultations, establish peace committees, and prioritize the interests of the broader community above ethnic divisions and personal vendettas.
The meeting concluded with a collective pledge from both Garre and Degodia representatives to uphold the resolutions made, share peace messages widely, and work hand-in-hand to ensure that Mandera County moves forward as a united and resilient society.
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