Leaders call for calm as tension remains high in Garissa, Kitui

Residents of Mwingi barricade the Busy Nairobi-Garissa road in Mwingi town./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Some leaders from Garissa have called for calm following a wave of insecurity that has led to heightened tension between residents of Garissa and Kitui counties.

The conflict has disrupted trade, movement and livelihoods.

On Monday, bus operators halted services on the Garissa–Mwingi–Nairobi road route following attacks and growing tensions between pastoralists and farmers, which recently culminated in a bandit attack that left eight people dead in Kitui county last Saturday.

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The latest incident occurred on Tuesday, when suspected herders from the neighbouring county killed a 16-year-old boy in the Katanginia area while he was grazing goats.

Angry residents from Kitui county have since been holding demonstrations along the busy road, demanding justice for those killed.

Tensions remain high as police continue efforts to clear the road and restore the flow of traffic.

Speaking to the press separately, Garissa Peace Committee secretary Hassan Osman urged residents from both sides to exercise restraint and allow security agencies to carry out investigations.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, warning that retaliatory violence would only escalate the situation.

“We understand the anger and frustration among residents, especially following the loss of innocent lives, but taking law into your own hands will only worsen the insecurity we are already facing,” Osman said.

“I am appealing to everyone to remain calm and cooperate with authorities. Peace is paramount and we all need it. When it is disrupted, we are all affected in one way or another,” he added.

Human rights defender Muktar Dahir echoed the call for calm, stressing the need for justice while cautioning against actions that could lead to further loss of life.

He called on security agencies to act swiftly and transparently in addressing the incidents.

“What we need now is accountability and protection for all residents. The government must ensure those responsible are brought to justice, but communities must also avoid actions that could put more lives at risk,” Dahir said.

He also condemned the inciteful remarks and inflammatory messages issued in recent days by some individuals, saying such statements only deepen divisions and risk further bloodshed.

Youth leader Nasteh Farah also appealed to young people to refrain from violence and instead engage leaders and authorities through peaceful means.

He noted that while the youth have legitimate grievances, destruction and attacks on public transport only harm the broader community. “As young people, we must be part of the solution, not the problem.

Destroying property and attacking vehicles will only isolate our community further and worsen the situation,” Farah said.

He called for increased security presence in affected areas and urged the national government to take urgent measures to restore order and rebuild confidence among residents.

The decision by bus operators to suspend services has greatly inconvenienced many, as calls mount for the government to urgently convene security meetings between residents and leaders from the two counties.

“We cannot continue like this; a solution to this perennial issue between the farmers and herders has to be urgently found. We cannot continue losing lives, followed by disruptions to our lives due to problems that are not of our own making,” Mohamed Hussein said.

Hussein, who was supposed to travel to Nakuru to take his son back to school for the second term, questioned why leaders from both sides have remained silent, saying they should be at the forefront of engaging their communities to find a lasting solution.