Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has condemned the recent wave of violence along the Kitui–Tana River border, warning that the killings reflect a breakdown in security and urgent leadership failure that must be addressed immediately.
In a statement, Muturi said the ongoing conflict in areas such as Tseikuru and Mwingi North has been driven by armed incursions and competition over grazing land, leading to loss of lives and displacement of residents.
His remarks come after a series of deadly incidents in the region, including the killing of a Kamba herdsman near the Mwingi Game Reserve, followed by retaliatory attacks that left several people dead on both sides.
In one of the most recent incidents, seven villagers were killed in Kwa Kamari, Tseikuru, further escalating tensions and prompting heightened police deployment in the area.
Muturi said the situation has reached a dangerous point and warned that failure by security agencies to act decisively risks deepening mistrust between communities and the state.
“The senseless killings must stop. No Kenyan should lose their life or livelihood due to failures in security and leadership,” he said.
He singled out Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, saying the National Police Service must take responsibility for what he described as a breakdown in security coordination.
Muturi questioned the effectiveness of policing in the affected regions, alleging that there has been more attention on political activity than on protecting civilians in conflict-prone areas.
The former Attorney General also criticised the Ministry of Interior, urging the leadership to move beyond statements and take direct action on the ground.
He called for a restructuring of police command in the affected areas, arguing that the current approach has failed to contain recurring violence along the border.
Muturi warned that the situation is particularly sensitive given the country’s political climate ahead of the next general election, saying instability in border regions should not be ignored.
He proposed a two-pronged response involving strict enforcement of the law against those involved in the violence, alongside structured dialogue between communities to address long-standing disputes over land and grazing rights.
“Our approach will prioritise firm enforcement of the law against perpetrators of violence, while also promoting structured mediation between warring communities,” he said.
Muturi further argued that persistent insecurity is eroding public confidence in government institutions, stating that a state that cannot guarantee safety risks losing the trust of its citizens.
His comments come as security agencies maintain a heavy presence in parts of Kitui following recent attacks that have disrupted transport routes, forced businesses in Mwingi town to close temporarily, and heightened fear among residents living near the border corridors.
Authorities have urged calm as investigations continue, even as calls grow for long-term solutions to recurring violence in the region.