Kenya suspends gypsum mining in Garissa County
Kenya has announced suspension of gypsum mining activities, land allocation and demarcation in Garissa County.
Regional Security Committee and County Government of Garissa made the decision was made in response to recent violent incidents in the area. The recent killing of nine individuals in two separate incidents prompted the meeting between officials from the County Government of Garissa and the Regional and County Security Committee members. Gypsum mining was identified as a contributing factor to the security concerns.
Security measures
The meeting was attended by various leaders, including Garissa Senator Abdul Haji, Garissa Township MP Mohamed Barre Dekow, and Garissa Women Rep. Hudgon Siyat. The attendees expressed a united commitment to resolving the security issues and implementing the agreed-upon measures. John Otieno, the North Eastern Regional Commissioner, emphasized that the security teams have been instructed to deal firmly with criminals responsible for the recent attacks. Enhanced security patrols within the town were also planned.
“We will work together with the office of the governor to ensure that all issues that are contributing to the insecurity in Garissa town and its environs are sorted out to allow the citizens to carry on with their businesses in a secure environment without fear,” Otieno noted.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama also condemned the attacks and called for restraint from the residents. He urged citizens not to take matters into their own hands and to allow the security committees and elected leaders to address the issues.
