Members of Parliament from Tana River County are now demanding Eastern Regional Commander Joseph Napeiyan and Kitui County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto held responsible for the boundary tension between Tana River residents and their Kitui counterparts
Speaking at Parliament buildings on 12th June, led by Garsen legislator Ali Wario, flanked by ten other leaders, sought the intervention of Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki over the matter decrying the recent security operation in Kuriti on the border of the two counties.
Honourable Wario queried why the Kitui-Tana river boundary conflict was being handled using security operation that have so far worsened the situation with the input of local leaders not considered.
“The issue of boundary is the work of IEBC but we have no commission. Unfortunately, police officers have become IEBC commissioners with the Eastern Regional Commissioner the chairman.We will not allow the boundary to be alerted,” Wario said
His counterpart Bura lawmaker Yakub Adow questioned the security operation yet the residents were co-existing in harmony saying the mandate of boundary delimitation lies with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“One county security apparatus can just decide one morning to cause mayhem and disorder and we question why. Kuriti had peace and security but after the operation there were many injuries and loss of property,” Adow stated.
“Those officers used live bullets, we have the cartridge used on civilians who were not armed and this was uncalled for. I want to put on notice the Ministry of Interior that the Eastern Region Commander and Kitui County Commissioner will be held responsible,” Adow said.
The MPs faulted the Ministry of Interior for initiating the security operation without prior consultation and coordination with local leaders on the security operation in the volatile region.
There has been loss of life and property along the Kitui and Tana River county boundary with hundreds of people fleeing their homes following perennial clashes between Kitui farmers and Tana herders over land and pasture.