The casket of the
slain 14-year-old school boy being lowered into the grave during the burial at
Kathungu village in Nguni ward of Mwingi Central sub county on Wednesday/Musembi Nzengu.
Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kevin Katisya speaking during the burial of the slain boy at Kathungu village in Nguni ward of Mwingi Central sub county on Wednesday/Musembi Nzengu.Grief and calls for justice dominated the emotional send-off of a 14-year-old schoolboy from Kitui who was allegedly hacked to death with machetes by invading camel herders.
During the burial ceremony on Wednesday, mourners led by Kitui Speaker Kevin Katisya and Kitui Water executive Peter Nkunda, who represented Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, condemned the brutal killing of the Grade 5 pupil.
The boy, identified as Joseph Mutemi, was allegedly attacked without provocation on April 28 while looking after his family’s livestock in grazing fields at Katuuni village in the Ukasi area, Mwingi Central.
The assailants were said to be camel herders who had invaded Kitui county from Northern Kenya.
The murder of the Kathungu Primary School pupil happened three days after seven people from Kwa Kamari in the Tseikuru area of Mwingi North were shot dead by suspected camel herders.
The Mutemi, a relative of Kitui assembly minority leader Jeremiah Mutua, who represents Nguni ward, was buried at the family’s home in Kathungu village.
Katisya described the killing of the as brutal, senseless and barbaric, saying the act must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
“I want to tell the perpetrators of this heinous murder that the blood of innocent children will not be shed in vain because justice will soon catch up with you,” he said.
Conveying his condolences to the victim’s mother, Dorcus and his two brothers, Kelvin and Victor, Katisya assured the family of support from the county leadership.
“We stand with you during this painful time. May the Lord strengthen you, comfort you and grant you peace that surpasses all understanding. You are not alone; the entire leadership and people of Kitui are behind you,” Katisya said.
He added that leaders from Kitui would continue pushing for justice for the slain schoolboy.
At the same time, the speaker lamented the growing insecurity in Kitui, noting that residents had suffered repeated attacks and lost many innocent lives without justice being served.
“Our people deserve to live in peace and should be guaranteed security. We demand swift investigations, arrests and prosecutions of the killers,” he added.
Conveying Governor Malombe’s condolences, Water executive Nkunda assured the bereaved family and residents that the county government would provide all the necessary support.
“The county government will continue working closely with the national government to strengthen security and implement practical measures aimed at protecting the lives, property and livelihoods of Kitui residents,” read part of the governor’s message to mourners.
Malombe further emphasised the need for a lasting solution to insecurity, noting that safeguarding the safety and well-being of Kitui people should remain a government priority.
INSTANT ANALYSIS:
The killing of Joseph Mutemi has exposed the worsening insecurity in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions, where disputes over pasture and water often turn violent during droughts. In Kitui, seven people were reportedly shot dead in Mwingi North before the schoolboy was allegedly hacked to death, sparking anger among residents who feel neglected by the state. Leaders say the violence is fuelled by illegal firearms, cattle rustling and revenge attacks, and are demanding arrests, stronger patrols, disarmament and lasting grazing agreements.
