Miambani Ward MCA, Hon. Alex Mutambu Nganga, initiated a motion in the Kitui County Assembly on Friday, September 13, 2024, addressing the escalating insecurity in the county’s border areas with Tana River and Garissa counties.
The motion, brought forward during a special sitting, highlighted the growing threats posed by armed pastoralists who have been migrating into Kitui in search of grazing land and water. Areas most affected by these incursions include Endau Malalani, Mutha, Nguni, Ngomeni, Tseikuru, and Kanziko wards.
Hon. Nganga, who is also the Leader of the Minority Party, called for immediate action to protect the lives and properties of residents living in these border regions. He urged the County Assembly to take up the responsibility of addressing the persistent insecurity, ensuring that Kitui residents no longer live in fear. The motion’s urgency resonated throughout the House.
The motion was seconded by the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Harrison Maluki of Migwani Ward, who stressed that insecurity in one part of the county affects the whole region. Maluki underscored the long-standing struggles faced by communities along the border, noting frequent conflicts with migrating pastoralists.
“We cannot live like foreigners in our own county,” he stated, gaining widespread support from the assembly members. The session, chaired by Speaker Hon. Kevin Kinengo Katisya, saw unanimous approval of the motion.
Following the motion’s passage, the County Assembly mandated the Committee on Administration and Coordination of County Affairs, along with the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, to investigate the situation. The committees were tasked with reporting the number of deaths, assessing police posts, and evaluating living conditions in the affected areas. They were given 21 days to present their findings, and the County Government was urged to expedite the completion and operationalization of police posts in the border regions.
The motion called for collaboration between the County and National Governments to review the boundaries between Kitui and Tana River counties to establish a buffer security zone. The National Police Service was also urged to disarm the armed pastoralists and prevent further encroachments on Kitui land.
The Assembly appealed to the National Security Council and President to intervene, stressing the need for active involvement of local leaders in all security discussions. The County Security Committee, chaired by County Commissioner Kipchumba Rutto, was also urged to engage regularly with the Assembly to maintain peace and security in Kitui County.
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