This case study is about community- security personnel relations and the heavy handedness security officials use in addressing or solving conflict issues.

The relationship between community and the security sector is fundamental to security. In many places, civilians view security forces with suspicion, perceiving them as predators rather than protectors. At the same time, many military and police also distrust community members, questioning their intentions. Yet the security sector is a key stakeholder in the pursuit of peace and the community is a key stakeholder in the pursuit of security.

On 1/12/2018, an incident that resulted in the killing of a young man and injuring others happened in Madogo Town, Tana river County. The incident occurred when a reported murder happened in a popular hardware store where two security guards were brutally killed by unknown people. The store owner was of Somali origin while the watchmen were residents of Madogo town. The incident sparked outrage with many blaming the store owner and the store owner claiming that the killings were a warning from people who didn’t want him to operate business in the region.

Mohamed, a victim of the ensuing clashes narrated to Aid-Afrika on how the incident affected him and the role the security officials played in creating tensions in the region. He said that on that fateful day he was on his way to nearby shop to get some supplies when he came across people who were demonstrating. Out of curiosity, he stopped for a minute to know what was going on, Then suddenly a vehicle full of police officers pulled up and started dispersing the crowd by force. At the onset they used teargas canisters to disperse them but later on stated firing bullets in the air and beating up whoever they caught. The police could not contain the situation but rather escalated it with them beating the people. Then suddenly another police vehicle showed up. This time they were chasing people using the car and directly aiming teargas cannisters at people. Mohamed then said that he jumped on a motorcycle to get away from the place. Then a police car started chasing the motorcycles that were now carrying people thinking that maybe they were being used to target them. He said that he then heard some shots being fired at their direction while they kept on running. Then he said he felt a sharp pain on
his hand where one of the bullets hit his hand resulting him to be amputated. He also said the bullet his lower abdomen. This didn’t stop him and he continued to get away for the fear that the police might kill him. Later on some friends managed to get him and was taken to Garissa PGH where he received medical attention.

His right hand was amputated due to the significant damage the bullet did. He managed to get a full recovery at Garissa PGH. He said that his family did some inquiry at madogo police station on who shot him but the police could not respond. It was later claimed police at madogo sought for assistance from their counterparts from Garissa after they were overwhelmed and could be possible that they were behind in creating further tensions.

The incident left many people unhappy. Efforts by CSOs has since seen different youth and community structures establish working relations with the police. This was confirmed by madogo OCS whom Aid-Afrika managed to pay a courtesy call to his office prior to conducting a public baraza event held jointly by Garissa and Tana river communities. He said that the police are now closely working with madogo community police, youth structures, chief and elders in addressing issues.

The public baraza gave Mr Mohamed a platform to share his experience with the public and also emphasize on the need to work closely with police to address issues. He said that we shouldn’t judge police based on actions of a few individuals. He encouraged the public to desist from hating the police, follow proper channels in addressing grievances to police instead of going to streets, and demonstrate. He also encouraged the police to desist from bullying the people and harming them as the community members are a source of information.

The incident left many people injured with one person dead. Through community dialogues, Aid-Afrika managed to educate targeted participants on the importance of close working relationship between security officials and the community members in achieving peace and security and solve conflicts. The dialogues provided that the importance of community structures such as peace committees in facilitating connection with security officials. Through these dialogues, a change of attitude towards the officials was observed with an example being Mr Mohamed who now is a youth leader and a champion for peace in the region. He is also friends with many police officers in Madogo

Through development of manuals and training insider mediators, Aid-Afrika ’s project will go a long way in helping bridge existing gaps between security officials and community members in order to foster a close working relation to achieve peace and security in the region.

Sadam, youth activist from madogo said, “peace and security is fundamental to the development and human survival. Countering disputes with violence only confirms us that we are of human but animals, for the difference between animals and us is the ability to reason rationally” speaking on the importance of the program, the activist said, “ I thank Aid-Afrika for giving the opportunity for people to address crucial issues that needed to be talked about.

The program has provided education and foresight in helping community members to solve issues peacefully and also an opportunity to interact with different communities to understand their perspectives and establish new friendships.

Through this interaction I have understood the various different misconceptions on our neighbouring community and it has helped me to expand my knowledge” Talking on close working relations with police sadam acknowledged the incident that happened in 2018 in which one life was lost. “My activism work was encouraged by the incident that happened in 2018.

Since then I have been liaising with CSOs in disseminating peace messages and help in establishing madogo youth group in which Mohamed is now part of the leaders. Majority of people do not like police officers but due to many interventions carried and the establishment of community structures such as peace committes, we have now seen an improvement in relations despite some existing gaps that still
need to be addressed,”

A local pastor from Madogo, Mr Tumbi thanked the program for giv9ng the people an opportunity to learn various issues related on conflict and security. He said that the program had a significant impact on the attitude of people whom he had close contact with. Speaking on how attitudes has changed the pastor said “ I use my platform in the church to discuss various issues relating to religion and community life. Some of the things that I share with my congregation are notes that I have taken from dialogues I was involved by Aid-Afrika . Most of my congregation are old people who had no prior knowledge on issues relating to security and most effective ways to solve conflicts. Through sharing this I have seen a shift of attitude.”