Garissa County Commissioner Joshua Chepchieng has reassured residents of the area that the government was not out to harass or intimidate the residents.
He was reacting to comments by leaders during Madaraka day celebrations held at Garissa primary school playgrounds on the alleged disappearance of an Imam in Liboi and harassment of security officers at the Tana bridge police barrier.
Chepcheing said that the inspection of passengers at the bridge is done ‘in good faith’ and should be taken so by area residents.
“Security officers manning the barrier have clear instructions on how to handle passengers but in case there is one or two such officers who have gone overboard should be reported and necessary disciplinary action will be taken against them,” said the county commissioner.
He added: “It is not fair to take the action of one officer to mean the stand of the government. As a government we know the role the residents have played in restoring and upholding the runaway insecurity witnessed a few years ago and we would not wish to reverse these gains,” he said.
During the feat, SUPKEM national organizing secretary Abdullahi Salat and Galbeth MCA Abdirizak Ismail said that requirement that passengers should alight from the bus and queue holding their ID cards up was not only disrespectful but meant to intimidate the local.
On reports that 240 people from Liboi had crossed over to Doble in neighbouring Somalia following the abduction of an Iman one week ago that created fear, Chepcheing said the matter had been resolved.
“We have since resolved the mater by hosting a Baraza where leaders from the area and the security team met the residents where they assured them of their safety,” he said.
“It is not wise for our people to cross over to Somalia as IDPs while we can talk and resolve issues torching on them. We have explained our position as the government on the matter and it is being handled,” he said.
He said the incident of the Iman and other people area residents claim to have disappeared will be investigated and the outcome made known to the people.