As the ongoing security operation in Hagadera refugee camp continues, Garissa women representative Shukran Gure has accused the police of targeting her clan.
Ms Gure said the police are targeting members of her Aulian clan in the ongoing operation that started on Monday.
She said about 110 people have been arrested by the police and they are being detained at the Garissa police station.
Thirty of those arrested are members of the Aulian clan, and the rest are refugees from Somalia whom the police are verifying their documents.
The women representative, who was speaking at the police station after making an inquiry about the arrests questioned why the police was only arresting and interrogating people from one community.
Ms Gure said the arrests could trigger animosity between communities during this election period adding that the timing of the security operation is questionable and may be used to intimidate the electorate from the Aulian clan.
“We have asked the police why they are only arresting people from one community. It cannot be a coincidence that all those arrested are from the same community,” she said.
Garissa OCPD Aaron Moriasi however dismissed the allegations by Ms Gure saying the operation has nothing to do with the kidnapping of two non-local teachers two weeks ago by armed gunmen at the Hagadera refugee camp.
Mr Moriasi said the operation was started by the security officials who are pursing leads to arrest criminals in the county.
“After the police verify the documents, those with relevant documents will be taken back to the camp, while those without them will be taken to court.”
“This is a normal security operation. The leaders claiming we are targeting one community have not come to us to verify the same,” he said.