Kitui governor ,Julius Malombe, is received by the chairperson for the Kitui Women Peace and Security organization, Patricia Mutemi, on arrival at the Zombe stadium for the commemoration of the International day of Peace on Monday 
Kitui Governor Julius Malombe leads peace stakeholders in cutting the cake during the International day of Peace celebrations at Zombe stadium in Kitui East subcounty on Monday / Musembi NzenguKitui Governor Julius Malombesays his administration has invested heavily in the construction of eight police stations as part of efforts to restore peace and security in banditry-prone areas.
Malombe said seven of the eight police stations, most of them located in Kitui’s Easter border areas, had already been completed. Some of the stations, he said, cost about Sh25 million each to construct.
The governor said the investment was prompted by the prolonged suffering of residents who had been repeatedly driven from their homes, farms and businesses by armed gangs, while others lost property through raids and robberies.
“It had gotten to a point where bandits were raiding even our towns and robbing people of goods and property. We realised that unless we took action, the situation would deteriorate,” Malombe said.
The governor spoke on Monday at Zombe Stadium in Kitui East subcounty during celebrations to mark the International Day of Peace. The event was organised by the Kitui Women Peace and Security organisation, led by Patricia Mutemi.
Malombe said insecurity had far-reaching consequences, adversely affecting education, agriculture, movement, healthcare delivery and also discouraged potential investors from coming to the county.
He added that the new police stations were intended to bring security services closer to residents, strengthen rapid response to incidents and reassure communities that they were protected.
Paraphrasing the words of the former civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, Malombe said peace was not simply a distant destination but also the means through which society could achieve its goals.
The governor said he sought the support of President William Ruto to deploy police officers and provide equipment to the new stations once they were completed.
The President visited Kitui shortly after he was sworn into office in 2022 for a thanksgiving worship.
Malombe recalled that he made the request when he met the President at African Inland Church Boma in Kitui town.
“During the event, I requested the President to provide security personnel and equipment after we, as a county, constructed the eight police stations. He responded in the affirmative,” Malombe said.
The International Day of Peace celebrations at Zombe were preceded by a street march led by Mutemi. At the main event the county boss joined other participants in cutting a cake to commemorate the occasion.
Mutemi said her organisation was already engaging prospective candidates ahead of the 2027 general election in an effort to promote peaceful campaigns.
She said the organisation was asking candidates to sign peace charters committing themselves to peaceful campaigns, respect for political rivals and avoidance of violence.
Meanwhile, National Council of Churches of Kenya official Angeline Elijah cautioned young people against allowing themselves to be used to perpetrate violence during political rallies.
Elijah warned that those who participated in violence risked finding themselves on the wrong side of the law.
She also urged security agencies to remain vigilant during the electioneering period and arrest and prosecute individuals involved in political violence.
