Leaders from Kitui and Garissa counties have called for urgent action to restore peace along the volatile border following a wave of attacks and retaliatory violence that has left more than seven people dead.
The violence, reported along the Mwingi – Garissa highway and the wider Kitui – Garissa border, has sparked alarm among political leaders, who now want security agencies to move quickly to contain the situation before it escalates further.
The North Eastern Parliamentary Group, led by Eldas MP Adan Keynan, condemned the killings and destruction of property, describing the situation as a serious breakdown of security and a threat to inter-community coexistence.
“We are asking all communities within the affected areas to exercise the highest degree of restraint, desist from any retaliatory actions and embrace dialogue and lawful mechanism to conflict resolution. The preservation of peace, unity and social harmony remains a collective and non-negotiable responsibility”, said Keynan.
The MPs said they were deeply concerned by the rising tensions between neighbouring communities and warned that the violence had undermined peace, human dignity and the rule of law.
“We call upon all security agencies to act with urgency, firmness and absolute impartiality to restore law and order. This must be immediate and a comprehensive investigation carried out and followed by swift apprehension and prosecution of all culprits”, the Elda lawmaker added.
They sent condolences to families who have lost loved ones in the clashes and expressed solidarity with those injured, displaced or affected by the destruction of property.
“The suffering inflicted on innocent civilians is unacceptable and demands urgent and decisive intervention,” the leaders said.
The group strongly condemned attacks driven by ethnic hostility, incitement and lawlessness, warning that such actions could reverse years of peacebuilding efforts in the region.
They said violence cannot be used to resolve disputes and urged residents in the affected areas to avoid revenge attacks.
At the same time, the parliamentary group demanded swift and impartial action by security agencies.
“The enforcement of accountability is essential not only to deter further violence but also to restore public confidence in state institutions. This must be done urgently, swiftly and with precision so that those who are perpetrating violence in this region can be brought to book. The current situation is untenable”, said Keynan.
The leaders said the law must be applied without bias or favour, warning that failure to act decisively could embolden criminals and deepen mistrust between communities.
The MPs pledged to work with leaders from both counties to promote dialogue, strengthen relations between communities and support long-term peace-building measures.
Their statement came as Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also called for an immediate end to the violence.
Duale urged political and community leaders from the affected areas to take an active role in calming tensions and promoting unity.
“I want to send a message of peace and unity to our people in Tana River, Kitui, Garissa and the neighbouring Isiolo. Peace is very expensive. I call upon the political leaders to come together and preach peace and bring out people together. Every community lives everywhere”, said CS Duale.
He also asked security forces to move with speed and apprehend those behind the recent killings.
The CS said suspects must face the full force of the law to deter further attacks and reassure residents that the government is in control of the situation.
“You can choose your friend but you cannot choose your neighbour. It is God who created us to be neighbours, so those who are neighbours in any part of the country, let’s build one unified country, added Duale.
Meanwhile, Kitui governor Julius Malombe and his Garissa counterpart Nathif Jama are holding talks in Mwingi town with local community leaders and security officials.
The meetings are expected to focus on immediate measures to restore calm, prevent further retaliation and agree on a coordinated response between the two county governments and national security agencies.
The latest violence has raised fresh concern over recurring conflicts along the border, where disputes over land, grazing routes, water access and political incitement have previously triggered tension.
Leaders now say urgent intervention is needed to prevent the attacks from spreading and to protect civilians living and travelling along the Mwingi – Garissa corridor.
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