By Andrew Kariuki
The National Police Service has called for calm and restraint following a series of retaliatory attacks in Tseikuru, Kitui County, that have left multiple people dead.
In a press statement issued by the Office of the Inspector General, the Service said it was “deeply perturbed by deaths reported at Tseikuru Sub-county, Kitui County,” noting that the incidents point to “a pattern of retaliatory attacks involving two communities, the Kamba and the Somali, which must not only be condemned but also stopped immediately.”
According to the statement, the violence dates back to March 29, 2026, when a 44-year-old Kamba herdsman was killed near Mwingi Game Reserve. A day later, a suspected retaliatory attack left four members of the Somali community dead. The situation escalated further on April 25, when an attack in Kwa Kamari resulted in seven deaths, all believed to be from the Kamba community.
The Service described the incidents as “senseless and needless loss of life,” emphasizing that the violence must be halted without delay.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja has since deployed a high-powered security team led by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, who is already on the ground in Tseikuru. Additional reinforcements have also been dispatched as authorities intensify efforts to restore order and investigate the attacks.
“The whole aspect of these attacks will be investigated exhaustively and to a logical conclusion,” the statement noted.
Police have assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to contain the situation while urging leaders from both communities to promote peace and reconciliation.
The Service further called on members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement by providing any information that could assist investigations. Citizens have been encouraged to report to the nearest police station or use toll-free numbers 999 or 911, as well as anonymous reporting channels.
The National Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace, law, and order, while pursuing swift investigations and ensuring accountability for those responsible.
