Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pledged that the national government will bring an end to banditry attacks in Kitui County, following clashes in Mwingi that have left residents living in fear.
Speaking on Wednesday, DP Kindiki reassured affected families that security agencies had been directed to flush out armed gangs responsible for the violence and restore lasting peace in the region.
Residents Displaced by Attacks
The recent attacks in Mwingi have forced dozens of families to flee their homes, with some sheltering in schools and churches. Locals say armed groups have been raiding villages, stealing livestock, and torching properties in a wave of violence that has escalated in recent weeks.
“We are living like refugees in our own land,” said one resident who asked not to be named for safety reasons. “We cannot farm, our children cannot go to school, and we sleep with one eye open.”
Government Response
DP Kindiki, who has been leading the government’s security reforms, said a multi-agency security operation had been launched targeting the bandits’ hideouts across the Kitui-Tana River border region.
“The government is fully committed to ending these attacks not just in Kitui but in all affected areas across the country,” he said. “We will not allow a few armed criminals to terrorize law-abiding citizens.”
He announced that additional security personnel had been deployed to the area and that a disarmament exercise would be carried out to mop up illegal firearms.
Historical Challenge
Banditry and inter-communal conflicts have plagued parts of Kitui, Tana River, and Isiolo counties for years, often fueled by competition over grazing land and water resources. Previous security operations have had limited success, with attacks resuming once security forces are withdrawn.
Area leaders have called for a long-term approach that addresses the root causes of the conflict, including poverty, drought, and the proliferation of illegal arms.
