Kitui Boundary Dispute Turns Violent, Leaving 12 People Dead

At least a dozen individuals lost their lives in recent clashes at the border between Kitui and Tana River Counties on September 14. The violence not only claimed lives but also led to significant property damage, including livestock deaths and houses being set ablaze.

Due to the attacks, over 300 children haven’t been attending school, opting instead to take shelter in various refuge centers out of fear of the assailants. Tana River County Commission’s Mohammed Noor addressed the issue, emphasizing the need for immediate containment. He clarified that while the National Administration isn’t in charge of defining county boundaries, they cannot allow such disputes to escalate. The responsibility for delineating boundaries lies with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The root of the dispute lies in land ownership claims. The Kitui community asserts that the Tana River community has trespassed on their territory. Conversely, the Tana River community believes they have rightful access to a school that sits at the heart of the contention.

The situation further deteriorated when a local primary school was razed. This act intensified existing tensions, culminating in counter-blame. Subsequent plans to erect a police station on the erstwhile school grounds further stoked the flames of conflict. In a retaliatory move, locals stormed the police station’s construction site, evicting its workers and setting fire to the area, including construction supplies.

Kitui County Commission’s Eratus Mbui has urged the warring groups to permit the police station’s establishment, emphasizing that it will serve both counties’ security interests.