By: Josphine Kasimu
A year after suspected camel herders torched homes and forced dozens of families to flee, displaced residents of Mutha Ward in Kitui South Constituency say they are still living in fear and uncertainty, unable to return to their land and rebuild their lives as insecurity continues to cast a long shadow over the once-quiet villages.
Kitui county commissioner Erustus Mbui conducted a high-level security assessment tour of areas whose residents were displaced last year following attacks in which houses and property were allegedly torched by suspected camel herders.
The Commissioner, who was accompanied by senior security officials, said the visit was aimed at evaluating the security situation and finding lasting solutions to the persistent tension and reported invasions that have left many families homeless and living in fear.
While returning from inspecting the remains of Kona Kaliti Police Station — which was destroyed during last year’s unrest — Mr Mbui’s convoy was ambushed at Kalalani by individuals believed to be camel herders. The group reportedly hurled stones at the vehicles, forcing the team to retreat.
Commissioner Mbui speaking during this tour urged residents to refrain from engaging in physical confrontations with camel herders, as the Government intensifies efforts to restore peace and stability in the region
“On our way back we were ambushed, but we did not retaliate. If we want these incidents to come to an end, we must avoid engaging in physical fights that could cost lives,” said the Commissioner.
He later held a tense consultative meeting with displaced residents in Musenge, where he cautioned locals against leasing their land to the herders, warning that such arrangements were undermining security operations.“If you do not want these people in your area, do not accept their money or any form of resources from them. It becomes difficult for security teams to remove them because they will always return to reclaim what they paid for,” he warned.
Residents, however, raised serious concerns over what they termed as collusion between some police officers and the herders, accusing the officers of failing in their duty to provide adequate security.
“The main challenge is that the OCS is allegedly collaborating with the camel herders, making it difficult for us to get justice whenever we report cases,” lamented one resident.
They also called on the Government to dismantle what they described as illegal camps established by the herders across the ward, saying their continued existence was fuelling insecurity and preventing displaced families from returning home.
Security agencies are now under increasing pressure to investigate the allegations, take decisive action against those found culpable, and restore public confidence as efforts to return normalcy to the troubled area continue.
