By BONIFACE ONGERI

After facing hostility from residents, the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission will hold sittings in Northern Kenya starting today.
The region is believed to be the epicenter of atrocities and inter-clan conflicts.
The commission’s works was particularly questioned when it had Mr Bethwel Kiplagat as its chairman.
Residents protested against its activities in the region, accusing Kiplagat of playing a role in the infamous Wagalla massacre.
stepped aside
However, after he stepped aside to pave way for a tribunal to investigate the claims, the residents have taken a softer stand.
Residents, who vowed to keep away from the sittings, said they would now welcome the team, headed by Tecla Namachanja as an acting chair. "We have changed our mind after Kiplagat stepped aside. We are ready to attend the proceedings", said Suleiman Mahamud Issak of Nomad Life Foundation in Mandera.
Emotions will be high in Wajir where residents claim about 5,000 men from the Degodia clan were rounded up by security personnel and sprayed with bullets at the Wagalla Airstrip. The security forces were allegedly out to flush out illegal guns and troublemakers during the Degodia-Ajuran clan wars. Uneasy truce prevails among the clans.
Retired Chief Bishar Ismail Ibrahim, who was then in-charge of Wagalla Location when the massacre was executed, says victims want the perpetrators punished.
"They say forgiveness is out of question", he said. "The question is, are the perpetrators ready to face us and apologise for killing my husband. We will be demanding nothing less than compensation," Mrs Amina Sheikh, a resident says.
For the first time since the massacre, the Ajuran clan would break their silence and give an account of events leading to the killings.
"The hearing offers an opportunity to resolved issues between clans and forge ahead because blood was shed and lives lost during the Degodi-Ajuran clashes", says Dr Yussuf Ali.