A regional governor from Kenya has been arrested in connection with clan violence in the coastal Tana River county, which has resulted in multiple fatalities. Dhadho Godhana, along with a local lawmaker, was arrested separately for ignoring summons related to the clashes, according to police reports on Saturday. Neither individual has publicly addressed the allegations.
At least 14 people have died in the violence in southeastern Kenya, leading authorities to classify two areas in the county as dangerous and unstable for the next 30 days. The interior ministry has increased security in these regions and prohibited residents from carrying weapons.
Godhana surrendered to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi on Saturday morning for questioning regarding the unrest, as stated by DCI chief Mohamed Amin. “We are committed to prosecuting anyone found responsible for the situation in Tana River once our investigation is complete,” he said, as reported by the local Citizen news outlet.
Additionally, five politicians from Tana River county have been summoned to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Monday for questioning related to allegations of inciting conflict between two communities. The Tana River region has a history of ethnic clashes over cattle-grazing rights, which have previously resulted in numerous deaths.