Saturday May 2, 2026
The Kenya African National Union (KANU) has called for calm and restraint following rising insecurity along the Mwingi–Garissa Road corridor in Kitui County.
KANU chairman Gideon Moi described the recent violence as a matter of grave national concern and extended condolences to families who lost loved ones.
“The loss of life and destruction of property only deepen divisions and undermine the prospects of shared progress.” He urged affected communities to prioritise dialogue, restraint, and adherence to the rule of law.
KANU Machakos County Chairman Eddie Kivuvani also appealed for calm among residents while urging authorities to act decisively.
“Let us choose unity, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence,” Kivuvani stated. He further called on the government to ensure justice for victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
Violence along the Mwingi–Garissa Road corridor
The statements follow a deadly attack on April 23, 2026, in Kwa-Kamari, Tseikuru Ward, and Ukasi in Nguni Ward, where about 40 armed assailants raided villages and a police station.
Eight people were killed, including a 14-year-old pupil, James Mutemi, while several properties were destroyed, including shops, a petrol station, and a motorbike.
Tensions escalated further when residents in Mwingi Town barricaded the Mwingi–Garissa highway, paralysing transport and disrupting business.
Police attempts to disperse crowds led to running battles, teargas use, and looting of shops, forcing traders to close during a busy market day. Kitui Central MP Gideon Mulyungi was caught up in the chaos and forced to flee, while buses travelling between Nairobi and Garissa were stranded.
Inter-county security response and government action
The two leaders agreed to enhance joint security coordination, improve intelligence sharing, and regulate livestock movement corridors. They also committed to supporting affected families and strengthening inter-county cooperation despite not sharing a direct border.
Malombe urged the national government, including the National Police Service, GSU, Kenya Wildlife Service, and Kenya Forest Service, to remove camel herders from Mwingi National Reserve and operationalise newly constructed police stations along the Kitui–Tana River border, including the Kwa-Kamari facility.
Mwingi Town remained under heavy police deployment as leaders called for urgent intervention to restore stability and prevent further escalation.
