An elders lobby comprising members from Ukambani and beyond has called for a crisis meeting to end the conflict among those living in the borders of Kitui and Garissa counties.
The Atumia Ma Wo Council of Elders members called on national and county governments of Garissa and Kitui to resolve the conflicts resulting from prevailing camel invasion in the area once and for all.
They called for an inter-crisis joint meeting between elders from Garissa, Kitui and Machakos counties to resolve the matter before it turns to a tribal civil crisis.
Led by the group's chairman Bishop Robert Mutemi at a closed door meeting in Machakos, the elders said the Somali camel herders had caused mayhem and deaths to the people of Malalani at Mwingi subcounty in Kitui county.
"It is now or never for the national government to intervene with speed and stop more killings of Kitui people by the Somali camel herderd," Mutemi said.
They addressed the press at a Machakos hotel on Tuesday.
The elders at the same time demanded immediate compensation of the slain residents of Kitui by the invaders as a way of preventing possible tribal clashes.
"It is unfair for people from other communities to invade other people's land and forcibly graze their camels in the farms that do not belong to them resulting in huge damage and loses to the farms belonging to people of Kitui," he said.
The bishop said Kamba people are known for their peace, but will not be patient any longer if the situation is not resolved by relevant authorities as soon as possible.
He said they might be tempted to take the law into their own hands to defend their lives, livestock and land.
The elders at the same time called for joint efforts between Kitui county and the national government to feed residents who are starving due to lack of food.
They said many areas of the county had no rains for some seasons, promoting a severe lack of food.
Mutemi also called on the elected and non-elected leaders in Ukambani region to work with the government of the day for the sake of the area's development.
"We should forget about our past political affiliations and join the existing government so that stalled projects that were left by previous government are completed" he said.
He cautioned the residents against succumbing to tribal and divisive politics.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
