Security officers in Kitui have started to drive out illegal armed herders from the county.
County commissioner Moffat Kangi told the Star yesterday the operation started on Monday.
He said it was launched in Tseikuru district.
Not only have the herders illegally occupied inhabited areas but overrun the Mwingi North Game Reserve.
Kitui leaders, including Senator David Musila and Governor Julius Malombe, have heaped pressure on Kangi to evict the herders from other counties in Northeastern Kenya.
The pressure intensified last month when six residents were either shot dead or butchered by the herders.
The victims were from Ngomeni, Ukasi and Mutha wards.
The leaders demanded the forceful removal of the herders who are known to keep guns.
They also asked for the compensation of the murdered residents' relatives.
Kangi immediately issued a notice to the herders to leave peacefully or be driven out.
The notice expired last Friday.
Kangi
yesterday
said the operation started after adequate security officers were mobilised.
He said the operation is being done with a human face, with those willing to vacate voluntarily being escorted out.
“We give armed escort to herders willing to vacate our county willingly to ensure they are not armed by the residents. We cannot be hard on the peaceful ones but will deal firmly with the armed lot,” Kangi said.
He said he will constantly brief the media from Thursday
on the progress of the operation.
He said camel owners have opted to remove their animals and more than 300 camels have been removed.
Ukasi MCA Nelson Kitema lauded the efforts to drive out the herders, but said the government must also evict all illegals settlers in
forests and restricted areas.