Kitui county commissioner Erastus Mbui has ordered chiefs at Kitui-Tana River borders to seek amicable solutions to end perennial conflicts between farmers and camel herders.
Mbui spoke at Masyungwa in the Tseikuru ward on Tuesday.
The county commissioner said the establishment of peace committees comprising elders from both communities would be a good start in solving the conflicts.
He said the peace committees would identify the criminals who trigger insecurity along the border.
However, Mbui warned herders against invading farms legally owned by residents.
"Those who break the law must face justice, however, I beseech you not to take law into your own hands," he said
Mbui also urged the Akamba community to be empathetic of the challenges that have forced Somali herders to seek pastures for their livestock on their land.
County police commandant Leah Kithei urged her officers to always take immediate action whenever cases of impending insecurity are reported.
However, residents said they are tired of such peace meetings because they bore no fruits so far.
Mueni Mati, a resident maintained that it is time for the camel herders to go back to their counties to end the conflict.
She also faulted the local authorities for being reluctant in helping them whenever they report insecurity threats.
"We are tired! We urge those who have leased grazing lands to the herders to withdraw so that these people can vacate our land," she said.
Stephen Nzenge, another resident, said the herders invaded their farms without consulting the peace committees in Kitui and Tana River counties.
"They can look for water boozers and transport the water to their counties instead of grazing on our lands. We are tired of losing lives and our crops are being destroyed by camels," he said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
