(Hold for more update Page 9 story 1) Fear and flight after attackers kill seven in Kitui

Camels that had been brought into Kitui county by pastoralist community from Northern Kenya resulting in conflicts over pasture /Musembi Nzengu.

Seven people were Saturday killed in an attack at Kwa Kamari in Kitui, prompting a security operation and planned evictions from Mwingi National Game Reserve.

Kitui county commissioner Erastus Mbui said the operation would target those occupying the protected area unlawfully, which authorities believe has become a flashpoint in recurring clashes between residents and pastoralist groups grazing livestock in the reserve.

The assault, carried out in broad daylight, left six men and one woman dead after a group of about 40 armed assailants descended on the trading centre, opening fire and attacking residents with pangas.

Police described it as a coordinated raid that lasted less than an hour.

Speaking shortly after the attack, Mbui said security officers had been deployed to pursue those responsible.

“Security teams will comb the area to track down the attackers, arrest them and ensure they face the law,” he said, adding that those behind the killings would not be allowed to evade justice.

He appealed to residents to cooperate with security personnel as the operation gets under way, noting that the loss of life in such a short period was deeply concerning.

Tseikuru deputy county commissioner Ann Mwangi confirmed the death toll on Saturday night, saying the attackers were heavily armed and moved in vehicles with concealed registration plates.

The victims sustained gunshot wounds and deep cuts, and their bodies were taken to Kyuso Level 4 Hospital mortuary.

One survivor remains in critical condition at Tseikuru Level 4 Hospital after suffering gunshot injuries.

Mwangi said several structures were also destroyed in the raid, including shops and a petrol station, underscoring the scale of the attack on the small trading centre.

While investigations are ongoing, officials said the violence is believed to be linked to longstanding tensions over grazing rights in and around the game reserve.

The area has in recent weeks witnessed a cycle of attacks and reprisals involving different communities.

Residents described scenes of panic as the attackers struck. Resident Kilonzo Mughi said people fled into nearby bushland as the gunfire erupted.

“They came and within a very short time people had been killed. Many of us ran for safety,” he said.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua also condemned the killings.

He accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to protect residents, saying repeated attacks by armed groups linked to pastoral movements had left communities vulnerable.

Wambua said the latest incident was part of a worrying pattern of insecurity that has persisted for weeks without decisive government action.

The senator also called out Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, questioning the government’s response to the escalating violence and urging immediate intervention to restore security and protect residents living along the affected border areas

By Sunday, many homes and farms in Kwa Kamari and surrounding villages had been abandoned, with families fearing further violence.

The latest killings follow earlier incidents in the area. About three weeks ago, at least four people were reported dead in clashes linked to disputes over grazing land near the reserve.

Local leaders said the insecurity had forced several families to leave their homes.

Tseikuru ward representative Daniel Muange said residents of affected villages had fled with their livestock, seeking safety amid fears of further attacks.

There have also been reports of retaliatory violence in recent days, highlighting the fragile security situation and the risk of further escalation if tensions are not contained.

Police have previously said they are on high alert and have sought to reassure the public, but the latest attack is likely to intensify pressure on authorities to restore order and prevent further loss of life.

Instant analysis

The Kwa Kamari killings expose a volatile mix of land pressure, weak enforcement and cycles of retaliation that authorities have yet to break. The planned evictions from Mwingi National Game Reserve may disrupt immediate triggers but risk deepening grievances if not paired with dialogue and clear resettlement measures. The speed and coordination of the attack point to organised groups operating with confidence, raising questions about intelligence gaps and deterrence. For residents, the priority is security and a safe return. For the state, restoring trust will depend on arrests, a sustained security presence and addressing the underlying contest over grazing and livelihoods.