East African Standard (Nairobi)
June 12, 2001

By Shukri Ahmed

Three legislators from Eastern Province have asked the Government to step up security patrols along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Dr Guracha Galgalo (Moyale), Robert Kochale (Laisamis) and Dr Abdullahi Wako (Isiolo South) said loop-holes along the border have affected security operations in Marsabit and Moyale districts.

The three who are assistant ministers said effective border patrols will minimise the influx of illegal firearms.

They said residents of the two districts have been subjected to untold suffering by Ethiopian forces who perceive them as sympathisers of the Oromo Liberation Front.

Guracha said if the border patrols had been effective, eight policemen allegedly killed by Ethiopian forces recently would not have lost their lives.

He said some of his constituents have in the past been killed and others kidnapped by Ethiopian attackers.

The MPs were speaking during an Eastern Province security committee meeting chaired by the PC, Mrs Philomena Koech, in Isiolo town last Friday.

They said last week’s defection of Ethiopian soldiers and students could destabilise security in Moyale. They urged the Government to deploy Army personnel along the border.

Meanwhile, the administration in the province will legalise the task force comprising elders to restore peace in violence-prone districts.

Koech said the elders will be allowed to contribute during district security committee meetings. She said the process will be effected through enactment of the provincial administration by-laws that will give the elders legal recognition.

Currently, the law does not recognise the role played by the elders in peace making processes which the administration formulated in conjunction with Oxfam (UK), she said.

The meeting was also attended by DCs John Chege (Isiolo), John Litunda (Moyale) and Joash Miyoma (Marsabit).

Others were MPs Charfano Guyo Mokku (Isiolo North), Kochale, Galgalo and Wako.

Koech said Oxfam will sponsor a peace plan in the three districts which will involve elders while the administration will provide vehicles and offices.