By Kavinga Titus.
A sombre mood engulfed Mwingi North in Kitui County as leaders and residents gathered for the burial of seven people allegedly killed in a violent confrontation linked to camel herders, with sharp criticism directed at the national government over insecurity along the region’s border areas.
Julius Malombe led calls for urgent action, revealing that the county government had already constructed several police stations at the request of the national administration, but most remain non-operational.
“We were asked by the national government to build police stations, and we have delivered,” Malombe said. “Six are complete, one is nearly finished, and another in Katumba stalled due to disputes. These facilities are meant to serve all communities, not just Kitui residents.”
The governor emphasized that security infrastructure alone is not enough without personnel, urging the state to deploy officers to the completed stations. He commended the government for deploying 30 officers to Kamuwongo Police Station, with a promise to increase the number to 60, but insisted more needs to be done.
“Security is a shared responsibility, and when something good is done, we must acknowledge it. But we also call on the national government to fully operationalize all completed stations to enhance safety, especially along the common borders,” he added.
Kitui County Woman Representative Irene Kasalu sharply criticized the failure to arrest suspects linked to the killings, despite claims that their identities are well known.
“Those behind these acts are known. People traded with them, they have their names, phone numbers, even ID details, yet no one has been arrested,” she said. “Is that justice?”
Kasalu also took issue with recent remarks by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who had described camels as highly valuable animals.
“No animal can be more valuable than human life,” she said. “We cannot accept a situation where the lives of our children and communities are compared to livestock. Peace must be anchored in justice.”
Mwingi North MP Paul Nzengu echoed the concerns, condemning what he described as invasions by armed herders destroying farms and livelihoods.
“These are criminals coming into Mwingi North. The Kamba community does not keep camels, and even our neighbours, the Borana, do not bring camels here,” Nzengu said. “There is no conflict between communities, but we will not accept the destruction of our crops under the excuse of feeding livestock.”
He, however, acknowledged the response from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, saying the minister had assured him that action would be taken after receiving evidence of the attacks.
The killings have heightened tensions in the region, particularly along the borders of Kitui, Garissa, and Tana River counties, where disputes over grazing land and security have persisted.
As families laid their loved ones to rest, the overarching message from leaders was clear: justice must be served, security reinforced, and human life placed above all else.
