Arrest Garissa killer cop to ease tensions-Rights groups

Human rights lobby group Vocal Africa has called for the arrest of the police officer implicated in the shooting of a Garissa taxi driver, saying this would help calm the anxiety that followed the killing.

The Executive Director, Hussein Khalid, attributed the current state of anxiety and incitement to the failure by police to arrest the officer, identified as Kyalo.

“The single most important issue causing all this anxiety is the failure by the police to apprehend the suspect. If the police had the suspect, there would be no worries, and people would be going about their business,” he said.

He added that the failure to arrest the officer would further inflame the situation, as people continue to call for justice.

The tensions were sparked by the shooting of a taxi driver at a police roadblock in Modika on April 20. The killing, blamed on a police officer identified as Kyalo, triggered demonstrations demanding the officer’s arrest. However, the protests turned chaotic, resulting in injuries to members of the public and destruction of property.

Fears that the unrest could escalate into inter-community conflict prompted elders and religious leaders to intervene and help calm the situation.

Earlier, the Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) called on the National Police Service to investigate and take action against the rogue officer, while urging the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to ensure full accountability in the Garissa incident.

“We are calling for a transparent, independent, and swift investigation, followed by justice that is real and visible. We don’t want any shortcuts or cover-ups,” the rights body said in a statement.

MUHURI also called on the government to extinguish what it described as the embers of inter-community violence witnessed in parts of Tana River and Garissa counties, warning that this could lead to wider ethnic bloodshed.

“We recognize and appreciate the efforts of political leaders and the County Police Commander to de-escalate tensions. But calming tempers is not enough. Sustainable peace requires accountability and the protection of every community. Dialogue must continue, but so must the rule of law,” the statement added.

In a bid to de-escalate tensions after days of unrest that threatened to spiral into inter-community conflict, community elders, interfaith leaders, elected representatives, and security officials in Garissa called for calm, urging an end to incitement and retaliatory violence.

During the meeting, community and religious urged residents to avoid profiling individuals based on tribe or religion and instead allow the law to take its course. “We want our people to treat criminals as individuals and not associate them with communities or faiths. That is the only way we can maintain unity and prevent unnecessary conflict,” said Mohamed Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Garissa Mediation Council.

While assuring members of the public that the suspect would be arrested and charged, Garissa County Police Commander Samson Chelugo called for calm and peace.

“I want to appeal to the community and members of the public in Garissa to maintain peace. What happened was an isolated incident, and the suspect is known. The police have the capacity to arrest that officer, and we are pursuing him,” Chelugo said, warning that stern action would be taken against those who incite violence between communities.