North Eastern MPs Condemn Escalating Violence Along Kitui–Garissa Border.
By Musa Bashir.
The North Eastern Parliamentary Group has strongly condemned the escalating violence along the Kitui–Garissa border, warning that the situation threatens regional stability and calling for urgent government intervention.
In a joint press statement read by Eldas MP Adan Keynan, the legislators said they were deeply shocked by rising tensions and violent clashes in the neighbouring counties, which have reportedly led to loss of lives, injuries and widespread destruction of property.
“We are deeply shocked by the escalating tensions and violent skirmishes along the boundaries of Kitui and Garissa counties, which have tragically resulted in the loss of innocent lives, injuries to civilians, and extensive destruction of property,” MPs said.
The leaders urged residents in both counties to exercise restraint and avoid retaliatory attacks, instead encouraging dialogue and the use of lawful conflict resolution mechanisms. They stressed that maintaining peace and social harmony is a shared responsibility among all communities.
At the same time, the lawmakers called on security agencies to act swiftly and impartially to restore order. They also demanded immediate and thorough investigations into the clashes, arrest and prosecution of all those responsible.
“We call upon the security agencies to act with urgency, firmness and absolute impartiality to restore law and order,” the MPs said.
The legislators also underscored the broader implications of the unrest, warning that continued instability could undermine development and prosperity in the region.
However, the leaders pledged to engage leaders from both Kitui and Garissa counties to promote dialogue, strengthen inter-community relations and support long-term peacebuilding efforts.
“Collaborative leadership and unity of purpose are indispensable in de-escalating tensions and securing lasting coexistence,” the MPs said.
The Kitui–Garissa border has in recent days experienced intermittent conflict, leading to the closure of Mwingi-Garissa road paralysing the transport sector after residents barricaded sections of the highway in Mwingi Town, protesting the recent killing of eight people on Saturday, with leaders repeatedly calling for sustainable solutions to prevent recurring violence.
On Wednesday, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that the deployment targets the Tseikuru and Ukasi areas, where criminal attacks and related unrest have raised safety concerns among residents, traders and travellers.
The authority has called for the incidents not to be interpreted as community-based conflict and urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could worsen tensions.
