Garissa Woman Representative Edo Udgoon Siyad on Monday launched a complaint to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over inflammatory utterances by Senator Abdul Haji of Garissa County.
In a letter dated November 11 addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of NCIC, Edo alleges that Abdul was involved in the incitement to violence and propagation of hate remarks in the recent past which could led to the loss of lives and destruction of property.
According to the lawmaker, recent utterances by the Senator undermine peace and cohesion within the North Eastern region which has many communities.
“As leaders, we are duty-bound to foster peace and unity within our communities. Any behaviour that undermines these core responsibilities must be met with resolute action to protect and preserve harmony,” she stated.
In the letter, Edo singles out one incident on or about November 9 in Garissa Township where Abdul allegedly made inflammatory remarks that would incite violence.
“The Senator in making these calculated incendiary remarks whilst addressing hundreds of youths which is a statement construed to warn and target other community members; the averments made by the good Senator are well intended to incite violence,” wrote Edo.
Garissa is inhabited by different communities including Akamba, Ameru, Samathawal, Abudwaq, Degodia, Awliyahan, and Maqabul among others.
Edo, in the letter, noted the utterances by the Senator have since gone viral across the County resulting in fear of serious ethnic tensions.
The letter was copied to the Ministry of Interior, the National Assembly Committee on National Cohesion, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to Edo, Abdul’s actions constitute a grave breach of Sections 3, 4,5, and 13 of the NCIC Act 2018 which prohibit discrimination and victimisation based on ethnic lines.
As such, the MP asked relevant authorities to undertake urgent investigations to hold Abdul accountable for his utterances and safeguard the peaceful coexistence in Garissa County.
“I trust that thorough due diligence will be applied, and that appropriate, decisive measures will be taken to uphold justice and ensure accountability,” she added.
