Nguni Ward MCA Hon. Jeremiah Mutua has emerged as a symbol of reconciliation and peace after resolving allegations of ethnic contempt brought against him by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC). The accusations stemmed from a statement he made earlier this year, giving camel herders a 24-hour ultimatum to leave parts of Kitui County, including Sosoma, Mwanzele, and Ukasi. Mutua’s threat to deploy a “rescue team” if the herders failed to comply led to his arrest in November under Section 62(1) of the NCIC Act No. 12 of 2008.
Speaking to our reporter after resolving the matter, Hon. Mutua revealed his new role as an NCIC peace brand ambassador in Kitui County, highlighting his dedication to fostering harmony. He further announced that his firm stand had resulted in the removal of all camels from Kitui County, marking a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to address tensions between local residents and herders.
The MCA disclosed that the issue had escalated to a point where senior leaders from Tana River County, including Governor Dhadho Godhana, MPs, and MCAs, were arrested for allegedly inciting camel herders to vandalize a police station under construction at Kona Kaliti. This incident forced security personnel to withdraw from the site, highlighting the urgency of addressing security concerns along the Kitui-Tana River border. Hon. Mutua pledged his support for the construction of eight police stations in volatile areas near the border to prevent such incidents in the future.
Expressing his gratitude, Hon. Mutua thanked the people of Kitui, particularly his Nguni Ward constituents, for standing by him during his arrest. He lauded their solidarity, which included protests that temporarily blocked sections of the Thika-Garissa highway. The MCA reaffirmed his commitment to representing and serving his electorate, promising to continue advocating for their rights and delivering development projects in his ward.
Hon. Mutua extended special thanks to his legal team, led by Kitui County Assembly Speaker Hon. Kevin Kinengo, for securing his release from Embu Police Station. He also acknowledged the support of MPs Gideon Mulyungi (Mwingi Central) and Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), as well as his party leader Kaluki Ngilu, and the Kitui County Assembly’s minority leadership under Hon. Alex Nganga. Their collective efforts were instrumental in resolving the matter and restoring his political freedom.
Now a peace brand ambassador, Hon. Mutua sees his appointment as an opportunity to champion unity and peaceful coexistence. His role underscores the NCIC’s commitment to partnering with grassroots leaders to resolve conflicts and promote harmony. Hon. Mutua vowed to use his influence to address long-standing tensions and advocate for sustainable peace in Kitui and beyond.
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