NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 29 — Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has called on the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to take urgent and decisive action to protect communities along the Kitui–Tana River border following a wave of deadly attacks and rising inter-community tensions.
In a statement on Wednesday, Muturi condemned what he described as ongoing conflict fueled by ethnic incursions and the invasion of grazing lands by armed herders, warning that the continued violence reflects serious failures in security leadership.
“I strongly condemn the ongoing conflict fueled by ethnic incursions and the invasion of grazing lands by armed herders in the Kitui–Tana River border. The senseless killings must stop. No Kenyan should lose their life or livelihood due to failures in security and leadership,” Muturi said.
He placed responsibility on the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, accusing law enforcement agencies of failing to prioritize the protection of citizens.
“It is unacceptable that law enforcement appears more focused on disrupting political gatherings than on protecting innocent citizens and their property. A government that cannot guarantee the safety of its people forfeits the trust and respect of those it serves,” he added.
Muturi further urged the Cabinet Secretary for Interior to move beyond public statements and implement structural reforms within the security apparatus, including changes in local police command and intelligence operations to address the deteriorating situation.
The escalating insecurity has also disrupted transport along the critical Nairobi–Garissa corridor, with operators suspending services in both directions due to safety concerns.
Movement along the route remains halted, particularly in volatile areas such as Mwingi and Nguni, effectively cutting off the movement of passengers and goods between the North Eastern region and the capital.
The situation follows a series of retaliatory attacks in the region, including a deadly assault on April 25 in Kwa Kamari trading centre in Tseikuru, Kitui County, where seven people were killed by heavily armed attackers.
Several properties, including shops and a petrol station, were also set ablaze, forcing residents to flee.
Authorities say the violence is part of a dangerous cycle of revenge attacks between neighboring communities that began on March 29 after a herdsman was killed near Mwingi Game Reserve, triggering further retaliatory incidents.
On April 27, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested a female political aspirant from Garissa County over alleged incitement to violence linked to the attacks.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect would be arraigned in court after a video circulated online allegedly showing her urging retaliatory action following the killing of a taxi driver in Garissa.
Investigators are examining whether the remarks contributed to escalating tensions that culminated in the deadly raid in Tseikuru.
The National Police Service (NPS) has since deployed additional security personnel to the affected areas to restore calm. A high-level security team led by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat visited the area to coordinate operations on the ground.
Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri said authorities are committed to conducting thorough investigations into the attacks and bringing perpetrators to justice.
“The Service takes great exception to such senseless and needless loss of life, which must be stopped immediately,” the National Police Service said in a statement, urging community leaders to promote peace and restraint as security operations continue.
Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka also condemned the killings, describing the attacks as a major security failure and questioning how heavily armed assailants were able to carry out coordinated assaults without detection.
Muturi emphasized that while firm law enforcement is necessary, lasting peace will require structured mediation between communities to address underlying grievances, particularly disputes over grazing land and security.
“The current trend is extremely dangerous, particularly as the nation heads toward the next general elections,” he warned, adding that restoring security and public confidence must be treated as a national priority.
