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Kenya diocese threatens to withdraw services in North Eastern

The Catholic diocese of Maralal in the north eastern Kenya is calling on the government to beef up security in Maralal, Wamba and Archers Post roads or otherwise they will be forced to withdraw their services until they are sure their personnel and travellers are secure, reports CISA.

The diocese is very concerned about the recent killings and robberies along the Maralal – Wamba and Archers roads and is “demanding the government to be pro-active and bring the culprits to book while at the same time ensuring security of all people travelling on this road.”

According to the Vicar General Maralal diocese, Fr Marko Prastaro, “With the continued robberies and killings, the diocese is re-thinking of withdrawing its services which may include closing down of its facilities until such a time when the security of its personnel and that of other travellers can be assured. We cannot afford to be slaves in our own country.”

“We reiterate that this is not the first attack to the diocesan personnel; rarely does a month pass without the diocesan personnel being attacked and robbed violently at gun point. This has posed a serious challenge in terms of service delivery to the communities,” Fr Prastaro.

He said that “It is sad that with all these attacks the government has been very reluctant to take measures to end the menace instead more and more people have continued to suffer under the hands of these criminals.”

“How many more lives should be lost for the government to Act? We wish to restate that security is a basic human right guaranteed by the constitution, the robberies and killings are violating the right of the people of this area to live to their full potential. In this case the government MUST guarantee this right,” said the vicar general.

Recently on November 22, two cars belonging to the diocese of Maralal were attacked on their way to Wamba from Maralal where they had attended a church function. The First car was attacked and the people on board which included foreigners were robbed of their valuables and seriously injured.

The second car (An ambulance based in Archers Health centre) was also attacked at about 5:15 pm on the same spot. The driver was shot and was pronounced dead on arrival to Wamba Catholic Hospital, while the second victim is still admitted in the hospital, the other people on board were also robbed of their valuables.

11 people were also shot dead when a group of thugs raided an area a few metres from the 78-battalion army barrack in Isiolo.

A homeguard who survived the ordeal said a group of 300 people attacked the area stealing an unknown number of livestock.

The residents led by Catholic Bishop Anthony Ireri Mukobo petitioned the government to disarm all civilians of guns which had of late seen deaths of many innocent people especially among the pastoralist communities.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, at least 58 people have been killed in cattle rustling incidents since June.

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TAGS: Kenya Catholic diocese of Maralal security robberies and killings Wamba Catholic Hospital Kenya Red Cross

[11/25/2009]

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