Relocate wajir military camp to protect resident's rights

• *Petition Against the Wajir Military Camp: Urgent Call for Action to Uphold Residents’ Rights and Safety*

*To:*

- The County Government of Wajir
- The Ministry of Defense
- The Hon. Aden Daud
- The Wajir County Assembly

*Re: Urgent Action Required to Address Public Disturbance and Safety Concerns*

We, the undersigned residents of Wajir, submit this petition to highlight the significant public disturbance and safety concerns arising from the Wajir Military Camp's operations within a busy residential and shopping area.

While we acknowledge the vital role of the military in national security, the camp’s location and activities have fostered an environment of fear, discomfort, and disruption among the residents of Wajir.

Our Concerns

1. *Public Disturbance:*
- The military's training exercises, occurring during early morning and late-night hours, produce loud noises and vibrations, disrupting the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood. This has adversely affected residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those in ill health, many of whom struggle to sleep or concentrate on daily activities.

2. *Fear Among Residents:*
- The presence of foreign military officers and their unconsulted activities have instilled a sense of insecurity and mistrust among residents. Article 29 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to freedom and security of the person, which is currently undermined.

3. *Lack of Public Participation:*
- The establishment and ongoing operations of the camp appear to have disregarded community involvement, violating Article 10 of the Constitution, which enshrines the principle of public participation in governance.

4. *Economic Impact:*
- The camp’s proximity to the shopping center has adversely affected local businesses, with many customers avoiding the area due to noise, perceived insecurity, and general discomfort. This impacts the economic rights of the residents as protected under Article 43 of the Constitution.

Our Demands

1. *Relocation of the Camp:*
- We urge the military to consider relocating the camp to a less populated area, away from residential and commercial zones, to ensure public safety and well-being.

2. mmediate Halt to Disturbing Activities:
- Cease all training exercises during early morning and late-night hours to restore peace in the area, in accordance with our rights to a peaceful environment as enshrined in Article 42 of the Constitution.

3. *Public Participation:*
- Ensure full public consultation regarding any future plans involving the camp or foreign military officers in the region, as mandated by both national and international legal instruments ratified by Kenya, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

4. *Intervention by Area Leaders:*
- We call upon our elected leaders to address this issue urgently, engage with the military, and provide the community with a clear resolution timeline.

Conclusion

We, the residents of Wajir, deserve to live in a peaceful and secure environment. We request immediate action to address these concerns and uphold our rights to safety, peace, and participation in decision-making processes as guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya and relevant international legal instruments.

This petition represents the collective voice of affected residents, and we urge the authorities to act swiftly and decisively. Failure to address this matter will compel us to pursue further legal and peaceful measures to safeguard our rights.

Abdiwahab adeec    Contact the author of the petition