Ray of hope as security improves in Garissa

Sunday, August 18, 2013

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Business has resumed in Garissa County after improved security situation, following the coming in of the new county government.

Garissa County Governor Nathif Jama in an interview with The Standard on Sunday said normalcy has returned and the town has gone back to 24-hour business, giving hope for development activities.

“A period of relative calm has given residents hope for a bright future, and we hope we will continuously improve our security and regain our previous glory where it was touted by an Interpol report as one of the safest towns in East and Central Africa,” said Mr Nathif.

The Governor says the county government is preparing to hold an investors’ forum in the next few weeks.

“Our administration is prepared to deliver on its development agenda and to effectively deal with matters pertaining to security so that the residents can reap the fruits of devolution,” said Nathif adding that the county administration has great ambitions for development but this will not be possible without peace and security.

“My administration will work closely with national government organs and dedicate efforts towards preventive and pro-active security measures to guarantee the safety and well-being of the people,” he said.

The governor pledged to assist the national government in the vetting and registration of bona fide residents in the county and appealed to locals to report any suspicious characters to security agents.

Cooperation

Garissa County Commissioner Harun Rashid said they had launched a jua jirani yako (know your neighbour) campaign aimed at flushing out suspected militant groups.

“We are seeking the residents cooperation to ensure that everything possible is done to improve security so that Garissa can engage in healthy competition with other counties,” he said.

He said six AK47 rifles and over 500 bullets have been voluntarily handed over to the police in Garissa following government appeal for the surrender of illegal firearms.

“We have experienced real calm and the residents desire for the restoration of law and order will see improved security for any investors willing to come to the country for business,” said Rahisd.

The County Commissioner said after the recent security operation, the national and county governments have continuously engaged the residents and held security meetings to avert crime and militia attacks and stepped up security patrols.

The County has been plagued by in security since Kenya Defence Forces incursion into Somalia to fight Al Shabaab in October 2011.

The sporadic attacks involving grenades, improvised explosive devices and killings perpetrated by suspected Al-Shabaab lead to a wave of in security in Garissa, leading to heightened security operations by Kenya government security agents.

The state of in security and counter-terror operations resulted in spiraling tension that led to closure of businesses, paralysed transport and basic services, which had a crippling downturn on the local economy.

Garissa County that a hosts more than 500,000 refugees from Somalia is also extending security to Dadaab refugee camp.

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