Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has appealed for calm in Kitui County following the killing of seven people in Kwa Kamari, Tseikuru Sub-County, in an attack blamed on suspected camel herders.
Speaking by telephone during a mass funeral service at Tseikuru Primary School, Kalonzo urged residents not to take the law into their own hands, warning that retaliatory attacks would only deepen tension and expose more families to danger.
The victims were gunned down on Saturday in an incident that has heightened fear and anger among residents, many of whom accuse authorities of failing to contain repeated attacks linked to the movement of camel herders into farmlands and grazing areas.
Kalonzo told mourners that while the pain of losing loved ones was immense, revenge would not offer justice to the families affected.
He called on security agencies to move with speed and restore order in the affected villages, saying residents must be protected from further attacks.
Kitui Deputy County Commissioner Anita Mwangi said the government had already begun efforts to restore peace in Kwa Kamari and surrounding areas.
She acknowledged that the situation remained tense, with residents fleeing their homes whenever they received reports of possible attacks, even when such information had not been verified.
According to Mwangi, one of the biggest challenges facing security teams has been poor communication in the area.
She said weak network coverage had made it difficult for authorities and residents to share timely information during moments of danger.
Mwangi also said locals had previously received information that suspected attackers would come into the area, but the exact timing of the attack was not known.
She urged residents to cooperate with security officers and avoid actions that could trigger further conflict between neighbouring communities.
“The community also has a role to play in restoring peace. People should not engage in retaliatory activities or any action that may provoke the neighbouring community to respond,” she said.
The killings have renewed calls by local leaders for decisive action against the invasion of farms by camel herders, a matter they say has become a major source of insecurity in parts of Kitui.
Local leaders who attended the funeral also directed their concerns at Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, saying camel owners must respect the rights of residents and stop allowing animals to graze on people’s farms.
Duale has appeared to protect the camel herders being accused of raiding farmlands in Kitui county.
“Yesterday someone was saying that camels belong to Duale. I will say this, all camels belong to me. I have my own camels but all Somalis’ camels belong to me. All Somalis have a right to live anywhere. Here in Takaba, don’t we live with all Kenyans? In Garissa, Mandera and Wajir we live with all Kenyans”, said CS Duale on Friday.
Leaders in Kitui county said camels had no right to destroy crops and livelihoods, adding that the movement of livestock into private farms had become a trigger for conflict.
The leaders demanded stronger government intervention, including the deployment of security officers, arrest of those behind the killings and clear measures to prevent future attacks.
They said the affected families deserved justice, not only condolences, and warned that failure to act could worsen tension in the area.
The mass burial was marked by grief, anger and fear, as residents mourned the seven victims while calling for long-term peace and protection.
Security officials have urged residents to remain calm as investigations continue.
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