Kitui and Garissa governors are increasingly uniting to form a stronger, coordinated front against the rising scourge of banditry, particularly in the northern, eastern and southern regions.

While the two counties do not share a direct border, it is evident that movements of herders across neighbouring areas have, in recent days, resulted in violent confrontations, loss of life, and destruction of property among people in Kitui County.

On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the two governors, Julius Malombe and Nathif Jama, met at Nguni market in Mwingi, Kitui County, over escalating tensions after the killing of seven people in Kwa-Kamari, Tseikuru Ward, and a 14-year-old pupil in Ukasi, Nguni Ward, by suspected armed bandits of Somali origin who disguised themselves as nomadic pastoralists grazing livestock, including camels, a week ago.

After the killing, tension rose with residents fleeing their homesteads following the attack. Reports indicated that a group of about 40 assailants believed to be of Somali origin raided the village and sprayed the villagers and the Kwa-Kamari police station with bullets.

Malombe-Jama initiative

Initiatives by Malombe and Jama highlight a shift toward regional collaboration, aiming to stop the movement of criminals across county boundaries and align security strategies with the national government.

The two county chiefs who led security teams comprising County Commissioners Erastus Mbui (Kitui) and Mohammed Mwabudzo (Garissa) resolved to organise joint security summits to develop coordinated strategies to flush out bandits and secure hideouts of the criminals.

Jama, who read the resolutions, said the counties will facilitate structured engagement between pastoralist leaders and farming communities to promote lawful, orderly and conflict-free livestock movement.

“We are supporting the enforcement of clear grazing frameworks and regulated livestock corridors to prevent unlawful entry into farms and settlements,” Jama said.

The governors said they will strengthen inter-county coordination, intelligence collection and sharing to ensure early detection and swift resolution of emerging threats.

Other measures include the two respective governments supporting affected families through humanitarian assistance and recovery efforts.

They called for political unity where leaders from either county exercise a non-partisan approach to security, with calls to align state initiatives with the national government’s efforts.

Malombe said they would insist the national security agents push for the eviction of camel herders from the Mwingi National Reserve to reduce deadly conflict and stop banditry.

He believes flushing out the intruders suspected to be armed with sophisticated weapons would also protect wildlife law, prevent ecological collapse and safeguard Kitui’s tourism economy, adding that a lasting solution should be found to stop rising bloodshed, destruction of property and many families displaced from their homes.

Request for government intervention

The Governor sought the President’s ear by requesting the National Government and its agencies, including the National Police Service (NPS), General Service Unit (GSU), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS), among others, to work together with the County Game Rangers to plan and organise a security operation to remove the intruders within the reserve that include pastoralists who graze camels, charcoal burners and other criminals.

“This incident is deeply regrettable and unacceptable. No reason can justify the loss of innocent lives or the destruction of livelihoods. Information provided to us by the teams on the ground indicates that this attack may have been linked to an earlier inter-community tension stemming from a conflict in March 2026 involving disputes between local farmers and herders,” Malombe said.

He regretted that the extraordinary banditry attack not only led to the loss of innocent lives but also destroyed property – including four shops, a petrol station and a motorbike – leaving devastation, fear and displacement. Malombe said the bandits also fired shots at the Kwa-Kamari police station, smashing several window panes.

With the emphasis that commitment to security and collaboration security remain a function of the national government, Malombe requested the national security agencies ensure that those responsible for the atrocity are apprehended and brought to justice.

Security situation in Kitui

The county boss recalled that during the president’s visit in Kitui in October 2025, it was agreed that the county government would build eight police stations along the Kitui–Tana River border and the national government would equip and operationalise the stations to enhance security along the border.

This position was affirmed by the president during a visit to the county during Mashujaa Day celebrations in October 2025 and his developmental tour the following month.

“The county government of Kitui has already fulfilled its commitment of constructing a police station at Kwa-Kamari, which is among the eight police stations my government is constructing along the volatile Kitui-Tana River border. The completed projects at Kwa Kamari police station include the main administration block, junior staff quarters, pit latrine, solar system, floodlights, fencing and gate,” he said.

Police stations in Kitui

The other completed police stations include Mandongoi in Ngomeni Ward, Kwa Ngongoo Police Station in Nuu Ward, Twambui Police Station in Endau/Malalani Ward, Imuumba Police Station in Voo/Kyamatu Ward, Kona Kaliti Police Station in Mutha Ward and the ongoing Kituvwi Police Station in Kanziku Ward.

The eighth police station – the proposed Katumba police station – was awarded last financial year but has not yet been constructed due to insecurity occasioned by the border dispute.

Malombe asked the national government to deploy adequate personnel and resources to Kwa-Kamari and the other completed police stations to enhance security presence and response along the respective areas.

Calling for calm and restraint, the governor urged Tseikuru residents – and indeed all Kitui County citizens – to remain calm but vigilant and report any suspicious visitors and/or activities to the security agencies. “I also urge security agencies to ensure that there is sufficient security so that the county citizens in the affected areas can go about their businesses peacefully,” Malombe said.

Mwingi town remained tense for four consecutive days, with anti-riot police deployed in key areas as authorities sought to contain violent protests by residents over outrage over the killings.

Witnesses said police lobbed tear gas canisters at the frenzied demonstrators who blocked the Nairobi-Mwingi-Garissa highway and lit bonfires on the road.

Businesses linked to Somali traders remained shut down as the police engaged protesters in running battles, while bus companies to and from Garissa suspended services along the highway amid rising insecurity in the region.

The demonstrators demanded justice and stronger security measures. The protests spilt into Nguni Market, where businesses also remained closed, and residents staged demonstrations as pressure mounted on authorities to respond to worsening insecurity.

The suspension of bus services disrupted travel and commerce on one of the region’s critical transport corridors.

Residents say frustration has been building over repeated attacks, warning that public anger is now spilling beyond affected villages into major trading centres.

Nguni MCA Jeremiah Mutua said the developments are likely to pile fresh pressure on the Interior Ministry and security agencies and called for urgent intervention to restore calm and prevent further escalation.