Invasion of camel herders in Kitui ticking time bomb, MP warns

MP For Kitui South  Rachel Nyamai  speaking speaking at the Kitui West Boda Boda empowerment  function on Wednesday/Musembi Nzengu.

UDA National Organising Secretray,Vincent Musyoka, speaking at the Kitui West Boda Boda empowerment  function on Wednesday/Musembi Nzengu

Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka has sounded an alarm over continued encroachment of Kitui county by armed camel herders from northern Kenya, describing the situation as a ticking time bomb.

He said the infiltration has degenerated into deadly confrontations and destruction of property.

“These people who illegally occupy Kitui land are causing serious carnage on our people. Yes, it is illegal to take the law into one’s hands, but if immediate action is not taken to stop the aggressors, residents might have to defend themselves,” Musyoka said.

The UDA national organising secretary warned that if security organs fail to intervene, residents will be forced to take action into their hands.

“What happens if locals say they are not going to continue being tormented by about 800 people? It might turn out very disastrous. So those responsible for security apparatus should act now,” Musyoka said.

He spoke on Wednesday at Kitui West rural subcounty during a government empowerment programme for boda boda riders.

The event raised more than Sh2 million, with President William Ruto contributing Sh1.5 million.

The riders are set to acquire at least 100 electric motorcycles.

Earlier Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai warned that security situation in her constituency had reached alarming levels.

She accused the herders of torching 20 houses in a span of one week.

“We will not allow our people to continue being butchered. We want the government to intervene and carry out an operation to flush out the criminals like it happened in 2016 when peace was restored,” Nyamai said.

The MP said her constituents are tired of losing their loved ones to the attacks.

"Just the other day, we buried two youth. Not so long ago, a teacher’s stomach was ruptured; he died and soon after, a pastor was killed,” Nyamai said.

She said some police officers have been compromised, hence the inaction. Nyamai demanded the immediate transfer of the officers and deployment of new security personnel to restore confidence in law enforcement.

Musyoka said he has escalated the issue to President William Ruto and would be seeking a direct meeting to discuss the crisis.

“I have shared a text with the President about the same. We will secure an appointment to discuss this particular matter because it has the potential of causing division and serious insecurity issues,” he said.

The encroachment of camel herders into Kitui South Game Reserve has long been a source of tension, with past government operations being credited for restoring temporary calm.

The latest flare-ups, however, suggest that the problem is resurfacing with potentially devastating consequences if not urgently addressed.