Ruare, Kenya

The Kenya government killed 5000 people at Wagalla in 1984, is this not a case of genocide?

In February 1984, Kenya armed forces detained 5000 male members of the Degodia clan of the Somali tribe. The forces detained the men at Wagalla airstrip, 9 miles West of Wajir Town and kept them without food or water and tortured many of them to death. On the fourth day, the men bolted in attempt to save their lives. The forces opened fire and shot most of them to death. At the time of detention most of the women were raped and houses looted and burnt by the soldiers. The UN and Western countries were concerned and demanded explanation but the Kenya government denied that such a massacre took place. Many of the men who died were government workers such as teachers and local government staff. A former senator was also killed. There is a case in court in Kenya, 23 years later in an attempt to force the government to compensate the victims. The United Nations has been silent and does not seem to care about this forgotten genocide. The UN needs to try the murderers who killed people. If the perpetrators of the Genocide are alive, why would the UN not be interested? The US and the West hanged Sadam Hussein and tried Milosevic for crimes against humanity, are crimes committed by African dictators softer than those committed by other dictators? The victims have taken the issue to court seeking compensation because they know very well that the system in Kenya is skewed against minorities and small communities. I think the International community, the UN in particular should care. In 1984 the UN gave a one minute silence for the victims of Wagalla and the Scandanavians cut diplomatic ties to Kenya. Since Kenya has not changed that much since 1984, the least that can be done is to address the historical injustices committed against inocent nomadic tribes and since the UN calls itself as the premier organization, it should face these issues head on and demand that Kenya acts on this genocide and repartrates the criminals to the hague for trial. This is urgent. More information is available on: abjadxudayi.blogspot.com/2005/06/wagalla-massacre_21.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagalla_massacre allsomalianews.com/press/Abdi_omar_NFD_090702.htm www.universalhumanrightsindex.org/documents/853/1070/document/zh/pdf/text.pdf www.docip.org/Human%20Rights%20Council/Session4/A.HRC.4.32_add3_en.pdf "Over the years, a number of massacres of unarmed civilians have occurred in the context of enduring ethnic conflicts, like those at Malka-Mari (1981), Garissa (1982), or Turbi (2005). The 1984 Wagalla massacre in Wajir stands as the worst episode of human rights violations in Kenyan history. In the course of three days, security forces detained, tortured and brutally killed many hundreds of Degodia Somali. While the Government recently acknowledged the loss of 360 lives, other sources interviewed by the Special Rapporteur estimate that there were 2,000‑3,000 victims. Many of the survivors still suffer physical and psychological consequences, and the widows and orphans have found no support. The true facts have never been established, and none of the alleged perpetrators has been prosecuted" Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Rodolfo Stavenhagen "The Wagalla case has waited for the last 22 years for action from either the AG or government. Theincident at Wagalla had left dead 365 Kenyans killed by our own security forces. The governmentofficials who were present at the time are still alive. Having waited for a long time, the family, relativesand friends of the victims as well as survivors of the massacre decided to file this case in court to seek among other prayers, restitution, at least an acknowledgementthata human rights violation occurred inthat fateful week at Wagalla airstrip in Wajir town" The Law Society of Kenya Human Rights Report 2005/2006

Public Comments

1. I know this is terrible to say, but..let's move on? At least for now? In case you haven't noticed, the UN has bigger problems at the moment. Genocides that exist TODAY. And they ARE taking action and sending in troops to help...
2. It's ironic that you care so much, when even the survivors, or whoever brought this to court are only looking for compensations. Why not take it to court to seek justice (ie: put killers in jail, find out who ordered it etc.). Nope, it's all about the comps. Sign of the times.
3. Do you think maybe the west and the united nations do nothing its because when they do everybody whinges how bad they are for doing something aka Iraq, Korea etc. The united nation s cannot interfere in what is largely a civil war. Most of the the stuff I read on yahoo answers is people taking cheap shots at the USA policy on Iraq. You want the USA to be the worlds policeman then whinge when they do the job. Make up your mind what you want, people? I don't like watching genocide on my telly vision aka Rwanda, Kenya or Rhodesia. I like watching dead American service men being dragged though the streets of Somalia even less particular when rival war-loads looking for a fast buck where responsible. And another thing, half of overpopulation of Africa is Muslims: get you mates in Saudi Arabia to supply troops, arms and money. it was the west who forced the south African government to abandon apartheid. Yet when the west intervenes in Iraq you squawk, I don't want to be unsympathetic but make you your mind what you want?
4. I'm not a Kenyan so it's none of my business. Are you a Kenyan?
5. Sounds like genocide to me.