MEMORANDUM ON PAST INJUSTICES

SUBMITTED TO TJRC BY

THE AJURAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF WAJIRCOUNTY.

T h e f o r m e r

W a j i r

WajirTown

W e s t

N

  1. INTRODUCTION.

We the undersigned community members of the Ajuran community from WajirCounty do hereby submit the following Memorandum on marginalization and other related issues pertaining to social injustice.

  1. THE PROFILE OF THE COMMUNITY.

Ajuran is a larger Kenyan-Somali clan living in Wajir West, East and North constituencies and other parts of the country. The community is one among three major clans in WajirCounty namely Ogaden, Ajuran and Degodia. They speak both Borana and Somali languages. They are the ancestral owners of the former Wajir West constituency that ranged from Godoma to Ade-Masajida. The injustices that were melted on the community are mainly in the following thematic areas: -

  1. STATE OF EMERGENCY.

Ajuran community suffered under the famous state of emergency declared in Northern Kenya in 1964. All the concentration camps (Kijiji) created in the region were well pronounced in Ajuran dominated areas namely Ademasajida in Habaswein, Griftu, Buna and Gurar. The security forces under the guise of military operation inflicted grave harm on the community. A case in point is the massacre of 32 persons at Buna water point where the bodies were dumped in the wells in 1966. Also, seven persons were killed by the military between Ademasajida and Merti area.

A contingent of combined Kenyan and Ethiopian forces crossed from Qadaduma in Ethiopia through Gurar and settled in Danaba. Residents who lived around those areas namely Danaba, Qudama, Balowle and Gulani were all massacred; thousand of herds of camel, cattle, goats and sheep were driven away and given to Ethiopian forces since there existed a military pact between the two countries. In return the Kenya government surrendered Qadaduma to Ethiopian government.

  1. LAND CONFLICTS AND DISPLACEMENTS.

During British colonial government, Ajuran community was the occupant of Wajir West region that stretched from Godoma to ademasajida close to Habaswein district. They are the most ancient Somali settlers and dwellers of the region. The colonial government carved up this land for the community as their ancestral land. Through the mechanism of communal land ownership, the colonial administration protected Ajuran land from intruders especially ever migrating Degodia clan from Ethiopia. The aim was to avert conflict over natural resources with the view of maintaining law and order.

However, after independence in 1963, the Degodias freely moved into Ajuran traditional grazing areas. They started bribing administration officials to instil themselves in the region. This was followed by massive migration of Degodia community from Odo in Ethiopia to WajirCounty.The clanengaged in a well orchestrated expansionistprogramme to establish themselves in areas that were hitherto under the control of the Ajuran. The Degodia sort to capture the Wajir west seat in order to identify themselves with the region while eventually dominating grazing land, water resources and settlements.To achieve these, they emigrated in large numbers from the neighbouring countries of Ethiopia and Somalia with full knowledge of the government. These gave them easy access to acquisition of IDs. Due to an upper hand from the government system as a result of manipulation and bribery, they were able to attain their desired goals.

Following these hostilities from the government, the community was forced to file an Ajuran candidate on opposition ticket (Ford Asili) in1987 where the government coerced and used forces, thereby stealing the votes in favour of the Degodia KANU Mp.

The table below shows the chronology of leadership in Wajir West parliamentarian seat from 1963-2011.

No / Year / Name of the MP / Clan
1 / 1966 / Abdi Nur Ali / Ajuran
2 / 1969 / Hajji Ibrahim Ali / Ajuran
3 / 1974 / Abdullahi Abdi Noor / Ajuran
4 / 1979 / Ahmed Khalif Mohamed / Degodia
5 / 1983 / Ahmed Khalif Mohamed / Degodia
6 / 1988 / Abdi Ibrahim Takaw / Ajuran
7 / 1992 / Ahmed Khalif Mohamed / Degodia
8 / 1997 / Adan Keynan / Degodia
9 / 2002 / Ahmed Khalif & son / Degodia
10 / 2007 / Ahmed Keynan / Degodia

Another level of manipulation was in the recruitments of chiefs. The beginning of this was from 1980when the late Ahmed Khalif captured the Wajir West seat with the support of the government. All the Ajuran chiefs in major locations of Wajir west such as Griftu, Eldas, Arbajahan, Wagalla and Hadado were replaced by Degodia chiefs. The Degodia community used government machinery to displace the leadership of Ajuran from the region. This event led to clan animosity perpetuated by political insurgents that resulted in bloody conflicts.

Meanwhile,in 1978, Degodia community members in Wajir district were joined by their well armed men that deserted from Somali-Ethiopia war (Somali Abo war). It is this time that Degodia used sophisticated weapon in an attempt to dislodge Ajuran from the region. The Degodia armed men started their operation in piecemeal – raping, beatings, looting of property and torturing in Ajuran Manyattas” (letter to the Minister of State, in 1983 attached refers). As a result, Ajuran clan members were forcefully evicted from their traditional grazing areas. The community could not fight back seriously as they were outnumbered. They had also lacked adequate resources to defend themselves. The community had no attachment with Somalia and Ethiopia thus there were no forces to support them in this quest unlike the Degodia community.

In this situation, the government instigated strong campaign to end the conflict. Every clan was given warning statement to stop the war or face dire consequences. Unfortunately, Degodia leaders failed to control their militia men.A total of 118 persons from the community were murdered. The table below shows the killings inflicted on Ajuran community by the Degodiamilitia men prior to the Wagalla incident:

Year / Crimes against Ajuran committed by Degodia militia men / Property lost and persons killed
1982 / An Ajuran man and his son were killed at Bas Lencha.
1983 / 10 persons attending wedding ceremony were tied together and killed near Ajawa location /
  1. Maalim Derow Abdille
  2. Bashey Ibrahim Ali
  3. Abdinur Muhumed Yussuf
  4. Yussuf Adan Osman
  5. Muhumed Abdi Muhumed
  6. Kunow Derow Yussuf
  7. Muhumed Abdi
  8. Abdi Hussein Abdirahman
  9. Muktar Maalim Mahamud
  10. Hassan Derow Ali

1983 / One person was killed at Qalqalch Tura in Griftu /
  1. Abdikarim Shunu

1st September, 1983 / Gurar was invaded and enormous property lost / 100 camel, 31 donkies and 2350 cattle.
4thSeptember, 1984 / 13 people were killed at Godoma and many animals driven away / 700 heads of cattle and 2000 cattle. The persons killed are:-
  1. Shariff Ali Osman
  2. Bare Osman Abikar
  3. Salat Yarrow Abdinur
  4. Mohamed Ali Golicha
  5. Abdiwahid Amin Hamate
  6. Ibrahim Abikar Hassan
  7. Osman Adan Hobay
  8. Abdi Osman Salat
  9. Bishar Mohamed abikar
  10. JalafowAbdirahman Adow
  11. Abdullahi Omar Hussein
  12. Osman Abdi Roba
  13. Ibrahim Abdi Jirmo

1983 / Maalim Abdirahman was killed - Ganyure
1984 / Yusuf Ali Omar and 6 others were killed at Griftu
1984 / Unsule, korondille, Buna, Hogan Tira and leysayu areas were invaded and 17 people killed. /
  1. Sheikh Hussein Takaw
  2. Huria Ibrahim Omar
  3. Jellefow Abdirahman Adow
  4. Abdullahi Abdinur Subow
  5. Fatuma Ibrahim Hassan
  6. Jelley Nunow Issack
  7. Adan Salat Adow
  8. Ali Matkheir Madey
  9. Hussein Osman Salat
  10. Ambia Abdille
  11. Isha Bulle Mohamud
  12. Abdi Maow Abdille
  13. Bishar Yussuf Abdi
  14. Hussein Ibrahim Abdi
  15. Osman Garar
  16. Mohamednur Ali (John)
  17. Abdullahi Abdille

3rd Feb. 1984 / Yusuf Osman Issack, family and a total 6 person were killed at Eldas area.
1984 / An AP officer was killed in Eldas. /
  1. Gedi Golo

9thFeb. 1984 / 6 persons; one man and five women were killed at Mado near Griftu Pregnant mother was stabbed on the stomach, the kid removed and placed on the mother’s breast.The persons murdered are:- /
  1. Abdia Huka
  2. Habiba Maalim
  3. Hassan Mohamed
  4. Mumina Hassan Omar
  5. Dakane Ibrahim Huka
  6. Tume Ido

These horrible incidents forced the government to take action against Degodia community members. The government set in motion disarmament of the two warring clans. The Ajuran community complied by surrendering guns but the Degodia leaders spear headed by the then incumbent MPs late Hon. Khalif and Abdi Mohamed Sheikh of Wajir West and East respectively reported to the government that the Degodia militia could outnumber the government forces and had very sophisticated missiles thus could not be combated. The leaders were requested to put the statement in writing to substantiate their assertions. Subsequently, on 10th February 1984, the Wagalla incident occurred.We, the Ajuran community, are not winners of Wagalla massacre as Mr. Abdi Sheikh (the author of Blood on the Run Way) wants the world to belief. It is very unfortunate if the elites and educated brain of this community are planting the seeds discord and clan hatred to the future generations.

After Wagalla incident, there was relative peace in the region. In 1992, another bloody conflict broke out in Wajir district. Below is chronology of the events that occurred in this particular period.

Date / Incident / Remarks
Dec 1992 / Ali Abdi Hussein was killed at Lag-boqol / 10,000 herds of cattle, sheep and goats were driven away by Degodia bandits.
28thDec 1992 / 3 children looking after animals were killed at Kalkacha in Ganyure.
1993 / One man was injured at Griftu / Over 5000 herds of cattle were driven away
1993 / A man named Ahmed Komba was killed at Wagalla
1993 / Two girls were killed at Griftu / Over 3800 animals was driven away
1993 / Abdi Gebero and his family killed at Arbo / A total of three persons
1993 / 11 persons were brutally murdered at Ganyure. / A chief and his family and ex-chief and his family
1993 / Two women killed at the outskirts of Barwaqo location.
1993 / Mohamed Nur Alo killed in Barwaqo village / At burial place where the two women previously killed were being buried.
1993 / Abdi Kontoma formerly police sergeant killed at Laheley
1993 / The following areas; Harade, Chibder, Barbarisa and Mocho were invaded and 14 persons killed. /
  1. Elmi Adan Maalim
  2. Salat Hassan Adan
  3. Ali Ibrahim Kassim
  4. Ali Hassan Mohamed
  5. Maalim Abdinur Sheikh Salat
  6. Mohamud Abdi Omar
  7. Osman Abikar Bashir
  8. Bulle Mohamud Hassan
  9. Abdi Adan Abdille
  10. Omar Bishar Adan
  11. Ibrahim Abdi Garraw
  12. Ibrahim Ali Osman
  13. Hassan Madey (Horor)
  14. Ore Subow

1993 / Two men killed at Laheley /
  1. Ilo Abdi Kula
  2. Son of Hussein Ali Kule.

14 April 1994 / Hassan Abdullahi Garena killed / Over 5000 herds of cattle driven away
8thSeptember 2001 / Diniqu was invaded two people were killed, two others injured and substantial numbers of animals driven away / 9000 heads of camel and 5000 cattle.

THE ABYSS OF MARGINALIZATION.

The consequence of these incidents or occurrence was total displacement of Ajuran community making them IDPs in their own land.

During the colonial period, Ajuran settlement extended up to the current Moyale District. Having voted for NPPP to join the Somali government, the community was punished by removing them from the present residence to area where had no access to government amenities i.e. education, health e.t.c. We were further pushed to the then Wajir West constituency. The consequences of these are:-

  1. Transfer of Ajuran chiefs to other areas to create a smooth transition for the Degodia agenda. e.g. chief Buna was transferred to Wajir Bor and Chief Bute was posted to Wajir town. In abide to push the agenda better, a Degodia Chief was posted to Buna and a Gareh chief was posted to Gurar. This gave a safe passage for Degodia exodus from Ethiopia thus acquisition of Identity cards with ease.
  2. Employment of Degodia in the created vacancies and created settlements. Manipulation of the provincial administration in attaining these programmes.
  3. Creation of new settlements for virtually all Degodia sub-clans to attain the expansionist programme.
  4. Poor infrastructures in areas in habited by the Ajuran community. This lead to the area being the second poorest constituency in the country after Ganze (Government statics and report).
  5. Inequitable representation in different committee e.g. CDF, education committee, roads committee e.t.c. resulting in denial of essential services like the bursary funds, CDF contracts, development projects e.t.c.
  6. Influencing of government ministries and development agencies not to target Ajurans for development projects.
  7. Exclusion of Ajuran from all the recruitment exercises.
  8. NGOs and development agencies cautioned against working in areas inhabited by Ajurans.
  9. Ajuran in Wajir West are not allowed to have access to water points manned by Degodia while in contrary Ajurans allow Degodias to water their animals in Buna and Gurar of Wajir North constituency.
  10. Exclusion from the distribution of the national cake (Government position) since independence. Attached appendix illustrates the issue.
  11. Exclusion of Ajuran members from participating vital consultative forums such as forum for the creation of county government in Garissa. The 12 members from Wajir west that attended the meeting were all from Degodia community.
  12. Prohibiting Ajuran herders to criss-cross their ancestral land. These phenomena resulted in setbacks in terms of killings and maiming on different occasions. In 2003, four Ajuran herders were killed at Adhe-Bohol. Similarly in 2001, one person killed and one seriously injured at Arbajahan.
  13. Amongst the strategies adopted by Degodia community in their expansion scheme is distribution of Wajir West land to all its sub-clans while changing the old names of the areas to justify ownership. Such names are as illustratedbelow:

No / Old Name / New Name / Sub- clan residing there
1 / Dololo qalqalcha / Fatuma Noor / Jibrail
2 / Boji Adhe / Adhe Bohol / Maow
3 / Arbo / Kukaale / Masare
4 / Mirgo hallo / Tula-Tula / Fardanow
5 / Qoti-sala / Shanta Abaq / Rerow Mohamud

The aim of excluding Ajuran from all the walks of life is to force them to shift from Wajir West constituency so that it remains exclusively for Degodia. These displacements made the community to be scattered elsewhere within the country and live as IDPs.

Unfortunately, state officials were being used to push these agendas thus not vigilant to check marginalization of the Ajuran community. The decent voices of the minority groups are often silenced by bribing state officials or politically coercing them. Therefore, their constitutional rights must be protected by the government.

Expectations and recommendations to TJRC

The community recommends the following as a remedy to the situation:

  1. The government has to make sure that Ajurans in Wajir get their constitutional rights by putting in place proper mechanism to serve such rights. Special commission to be set to look into the Ajuran issue since they have become IDPs in their own land.
  1. Establishment of social justice system that will allow Ajuran to have access to leadership positions in the government both at local and national level.
  1. TJRC has to facilitate reconciliation mission that involves all the clans in the region. This is because Degodia community is still pushing expansionist agenda.
  1. Although co-existence and sharing national resources is a constitutional requirement, the government has to accept Wajir west as an Ajuran ancestral land.
  1. Inclusion of Ajuran in the political appointments in the government.
  1. TJRC to read Wagalla issue within the context of clan feuds. The real circumstances that lead to the Wagalla incident be brought to service.
  1. Ajuran community request to be compensated for all injustice inflicted on its people since it is the duty of the state to protect the rights of its citizens.
  1. Provision of social amenities and infrastructure in Ajuran dominating areas that has been marginalized since independence.

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