Night gunfire from camel herders scares Kitui residents

Tension is rising in Kaangini village of Kitui South following the return of gun-wielding camel herders.

The herders, mainly from Northeastern, have forced residents to spend three nights in the bush through incessant bursts of gunfire.

The gunshots are aimed at scaring residents out of their homes and farms.

Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai and Senator Enoch Wambua on Thursday said the security apparatus should move with speed and preclude any killings, by driving out the herders.

The pastoralists returned to Kaangini in Kalambani location of Mutha ward a week ago.

“The gunshots are meant to instill fear and panic among residents, forcing them to flee,” Kalambani businessman Patrick Kituku said on Thursday.

He said the bursts of gunfire had intensified in the last three nights.

Kituku however said although no one has been injured, residents are scared stiff and are fleeing.

Nyamai said she fears the worst could happen if the encroaching armed camel herders are not forcefully confronted and driven out of her turf.

She said it is time they were repulsed without hesitation.

The MP also said it's time the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Mating’i, took a personal intuitive to order the driving of the gun brandishing herders out of Mutha, like he did three years ago.

“We enjoyed peace after the herders were driven out three years ago. Their return is ominous and is likely to lead to fatal conflicts that must be forestalled,” she said.

Nyamai said camels were spotted in the area about three months ago but the situation had worsened in the past week, with the herders threatening to disrupt peace.

She said even as the herders are driven away, it is time to overhaul the security personnel in Mutha ward including the KWS officers policing the South Kitui game reserve.

The legislator said most of the uniformed officers are apparently compromised and allow the ruthless herders into the area.

She also said it is time the Kitui government actuated the MoU it signed with KWS, that would see the management of South Kitui national reserve fall under the hands of KWS and thus help ward off the armed herders.

Nyamai further said all Kitui leaders should add their voice on the need to have the outlandish and gun-wielding pastoralists expelled from Mutha, to avert conflict with residents.

Senator Wambua said in a social media post that he had received information, that people living in Kalambani and Ikandani in Kitui South had on Wednesday evening been attacked by bandits.

He said he then called the Kitui county commissioner and AP boss who assured him that they were in touch with local security officers and that the situation is under control.

“They promised they were taking whatever necessary action to drive away the outlaws. I urge our people to be calm as we work closely with the government officers to return normalcy in the area,” Wambua said.

The senator also said the security apparatus should move with speed and ensure the safety of people and their property in the affected area.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)