Soldiers harassed us in Garissa, say two MPs from Northern Kenya

COMPLAINANT: Garissa womens rep Shukran Gure outside the Garissa police station after recording a statement on alleged harassment by millitary officers on Saturday.

TWO MPs from Northern Kenya on Saturday recorded statements at the Garissa police station over claims they were harassed by military officers manning the Madogo road-block, four kilometres from Garissa town.

Abdullahi Diriye (Wajir South) and Garissa women’s representative Shukran Gure were reportedly stopped by the officers for checking. A source said a heated argument ensued between the officers and the MPs, who said the inspection was done in an “uncivilised manner”.

Addressing the press outside the police station after recording a statement, the MPs promised to take up the matter with higher authorities. “Since when did military officers start manning our roadblocks? This is a complete violation of the Traffic Act. How can they subject us to such humiliation and harassment?” Gure said.

“As much as we support efforts to improve our security, we will not be subjected to harassment and humiliation by the officers.” Gure said the fact that Northern Kenya is a security zone should not be reason enough for the military officers to harass residents.

“If MPs can be subjected to such harassment, what about the people we represent? The government should tell us if we are second class citizens,” Diriye said.

They said their bags and other personal effects were thrown to the ground by the officers during the inspection. During the argument, an officer is alleged to have threatened to shoot the MPs and then turn the gun on himself if they continued arguing.