Marsabit County Leadership Demands Accountability in Hilo Gold Mine Tragedy.
The 61st Jamhuri Day celebrations in Moyale Sub-county took on a somber tone as County leaders, led by H.E Governor Mohamud Ali, used the platform to address the recent tragedy at the Hilo gold mining site and the subsequent controversy surrounding police reports.
Governor Ali, in a powerful address that captured the attention of all attendees, confronted the discrepancies between local accounts and official police reports regarding deaths at the Hilo mining site. "People died at Hilo, injuries are here in hospital, and yet the police report claims there was no death," the Governor stated emphatically. He expressed deep concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt by some police officers to mislead the Inspector General of Police during his recent visit to the county.
"It is disturbing that people died, and officers were compromised because of corruption. They even misled their boss, the IG, who was in the county after the death of six people was reported at the mining site," Governor Ali declared.
The controversy stems from a recent incident where six artisanal miners reportedly lost their lives at the Hilo gold mining site in Dabel. Despite clear evidence and eyewitness accounts from community members, including the burial of the deceased, some police officers allegedly provided false information to the Inspector General, claiming no deaths had occurred.
Governor Ali didn't mince words in expressing his disappointment with this turn of events. "If the county security team can mislead the Inspector General of police, this means that they have actually misled the President to whom the IG reports," he stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation and its potential implications at the highest levels of government.
The Governor's concerns were echoed by several Members of the County Assembly present at the event.
Nominated MCA Sadia Osman Araru, her voice filled with a quiet rage, demanded that the government take responsibility for the deaths and offer compensation to the families left behind. She spoke for the many who felt betrayed, their trust in the government shaken by the blatant denial of the deaths and the lack of support offered to the grieving families.
Golbo Ward MCA Edin Adhi, his words carrying the weight of grief and outrage, laid bare the corruption that had fueled the tragedy. "We are human, we know what is going on," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. He spoke of the desperate individuals who had sought a better life through mining, only to find their dreams shattered by a collapsed mine and a system that had failed to protect them. Adhi's words painted a picture of a system where those entrusted to uphold the law had become complicit in the exploitation and suffering of the very people they should have been protecting.
The community's collective grief and outrage found voice in the words of Deputy Speaker Dida Omar of Butiye Ward , who demanded that the compromised police officers and collaborating local elders be held accountable. He vowed to take forceful action if the harassment and corruption at Hilo continues.
Mohamed Issak, Moyale Town Ward MCA, added his voice to the chorus of calls for justice, hinting at potential legal action against those responsible for the false reports.
Community elders also stepped forward to corroborate the claims of deaths at the mining site. Mohamed Galla, a respected elder, stated emphatically, "We have evidence that six people died. We buried them here in Moyale."
The county leadership made it clear that they would not stand for any attempt to cover up the tragedy or mislead the public by corrupt county security team
While addressing these serious concerns, Governor Ali also used the platform to highlight the country's ongoing efforts to improve the lives of its residents. He urged Marsabiits citizens to register for the new Social Health Insurance (SHA) scheme being rolled out by President William Ruto's administration.
A strong call for unity and harmonious coexistence also emerged from the gathering, not just from the Governor but also from local community elders and MCAs. “We have lived in harmony for long; let no one from outside incite our people against each other,” Governor Ali urged, directly referencing attempts by neighboring Isiolo County leaders to disrupt the peace. This sentiment was echoed by community elders, who implored residents to reject any efforts to sow discord. They emphasized the necessity of maintaining peace among the six communities that coexist in Moyale sub-county.