By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The attacks took place at around 2pm on Saturday turning Kwa Kamari Trading Centre into a massacre scene.  Tseikuru Deputy County Commissioner Ann Mwangi said the victims' bodies bearing gunshot wounds and deep machete cuts were taken to Kyuso Level Four Hospital mortuary.  The DCC further said that one man who sustained gunshot injuries was admitted at Tseikuru Level Four Hospital in critical condition. 

Further loss was witnessed when the bandits set ablaze a petrol station and a motorbike, according to Tseikuru sub county DCC Mwangi. The attackers who are members of a pastoralist community had earlier encroached Mwingi North Game Reserve to graze their camels.

Local administrators suspect that the recent killings are part of a series of retaliatory attacks between herding and crop growing communities. "It is retaliation after a Somali herder killed a Kamba herder in the game park. In response,  Kamba residents killed some Somalis. This appears to be a counterattack", said Tseikuru sub county DCC Ann Mwangi. 

As a result of horrendous killings,  residents of Kwa Kamari and neighbouring trading centres fled their homes and hid in bushes. They fear the bandits may strike again.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Speaking during the burial of Morris Mugo in Ishiara, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku conveyed the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability.

The CS emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the shooting of the two youths will be thoroughly investigated, noting that the government will not tolerate unlawful use of force against citizens.

He reiterated that all relevant agencies had been directed to fast-track investigations into the incident, with a clear mandate to establish who was responsible.

Ruku assured the grieving families that justice will not only be pursued but will be seen to be done, in order to restore public confidence and uphold the rule of law.

The burial of Morris Mugo was marked by deep emotions, with leaders and residents expressing anger and sorrow over the loss of young lives under such circumstances.

Leaders present called for calm among residents even as they demanded transparency and accountability from security agencies involved in managing the demonstrations.

Residents of Ishiara and the larger Mbeere North constituency have continued to call for justice, insisting that those responsible must face the full force of the law.

The incident has sparked renewed debate over the handling of protests and the need for reforms to prevent excessive use of force by law enforcement officers.

As investigations continue, the government has urged patience, assuring the public that no stone will be left unturned in delivering justice for the victims and their families.

Mbeere North MP Leo wa Muthende has vowed that they will not abandon the pursuit of justice for the two bereaved families, insisting that the matter will be followed to its logical conclusion. He emphasized that the leadership and the community remain united in demanding accountability for the tragic loss.

He termed the incident as deeply unfortunate, noting that the two young people lost their lives under circumstances that did not warrant such a fatal outcome. According to him, they were unarmed and posed no threat, making the incident even more painful and unacceptable to their families and the wider public.

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who addressed the press after the burial service, called for the resignation of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. He argued that under Murkomen’s leadership, cases of young people being shot and killed have continued to be reported, raising serious concerns about accountability within the security sector.

At the same time, the Manyatta legislator reaffirmed that leaders from the region will continue piling pressure on the relevant authorities to ensure justice is served. He maintained that they will stand with the affected families until those responsible are held accountable and justice is fully realized.

By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

WEDs, largely composed of women, play a critical role in advocating for environmental conservation and championing the rights of women, children, and persons living with disabilities. Many operate within organisations focused on gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence (GBV), and climate resilience initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods.

During a two-day consultative meeting held in Kitui County, key stakeholders including the State Department for Gender (Kitui County Office), Women Human Rights Defenders Hub, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Caritas Kitui among other duty bearers, convened to examine existing gaps, challenges, and implementation barriers affecting WEDs and their organisations.

Participants identified several pressing challenges hindering their work. Key among these were limited financial resources, particularly for mobility when responding to GBV cases or conducting field investigations, underrepresentation of women in leadership and decision-making structures, inadequate capacity-building opportunities and insufficient, often poorly structured public participation forums within the county.

Stakeholders noted that while government-led initiatives such as the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLoCCA) programme have made strides in supporting climate-smart agriculture, water, and environmental conservation projects, significant shortcomings remain. Concerns were raised over the programme’s limited gender responsiveness and the lack of meaningful inclusion of women, especially at the grassroots level.

Luciana Ndila, Director at the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action in Kitui County, emphasised the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and children. She underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to address systemic challenges. “When climate change strikes, it affects everyone, but women and children bear the greatest burden. Women Environmental Defenders are essential in restoring degraded environments and protecting livelihoods. Without their involvement, families and communities face increased vulnerability,” Ndila stated.

Diana Letion, an officer at the Women Human Rights Defenders Hub, noted that the dialogue had helped bridge gaps between WEDs and government actors. She highlighted concerns around ineffective public participation and limited gender inclusivity within climate programmes.“Through this engagement, we have critically analysed the gaps between government efforts and the realities faced by women defenders. Moving forward, we intend to monitor progress to ensure gender mainstreaming and inclusive public participation particularly within the FLoCCA programme are realised,” Letion said.

Participants also called for increased civic education at the grassroots level to empower women and persons with disabilities to understand their rights and actively participate in decision-making processes. They stressed that inclusive engagement is essential in ensuring climate and gender programmes are both effective and equitable.

As the country intensifies efforts to address climate change and social inequalities, WEDs remain at the forefront of community resilience. However, stakeholders warn that without targeted support, policy alignment, and adequate resources, their impact will remain constrained.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh (MCA Kîrîmarî) moved the motion to suspend Lands CEC Member Raymond Kinyua while his Ruguru-Ngandori counterpart Muturi Mwombo made his submissions to have Health CEC member Jamal Runyenje step aside.

Speaker Josiah Thiriku sanctioned the tabling of the two motions as a matter of urgency, noting that grabbing of public land and neglect of public health facilities were threatening to provoke civil disobedience by the Embu County populace. 

Speaker Thiriku noted that two people had been killed during demonstrations protesting against the poor state of the Ishiara Level Four Hospital while Embu town was teetering on the brink of riots by traders opposed to their eviction from a public plot to pave way for private development.

The Assembly heard that Kinyua had allegedly within his tenure superintended over fraudulent and illegal allocation of public land to private developers, including plot number Embu/Municipality/1112/367 which was initially meant for expansion of the Embu Level Five Hospital. He also reportedly falsified a document from the National Environment Management Authority convening a public participation forum on change of user for the plot in question.

The CEC Member is accused of going against the County Assembly’s resolution to stop alienation of the land parcel pending investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on the circumstances leading to it’s allocation to a private developers.

On the other hand, the CEC Member for Health is alleged to have caused unnecessary loss of life by maladministration and incompetently handling the public healthcare sector and thwarting the implementation of the Embu County Health Services Act of 2024.

Ward Representatives lamented over the poor absorption of funds allocated by the County Assembly to the Health docket, which they said had led to the dilapidation of infrastructure and deterioration of conditions of public health facilities.

The two motions also resolved to form Ad-hoc committees to investigate the two officers and table their findings and recommendations within 60 days. The MCAs asserted that they would not shy away from impeaching the two CEC Members if found culpable of graft or incompetence. The officers will be accorded hearing by the Assembly and may be represented by lawyers.

MCAs who overwhelmingly supported the motion were quick to mention that calling for investigations into possible graft, incompetence, neglect and violation of the law by senior County Government officials was not politically instigated or meant to frustrate Governor Cecily Mbarire’s administration.

‎By JOHN MUSEMBI

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‎"During the forecast period, rainfall is expected to reduce in some parts of the county and increase in intensity towards the weekend", said Dr Daniel Mbithi, the County Director of Meteorological Services.

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KMD has issued an advisory to Kenyans in lowland counties like Kitui, Makueni and Taita Taveta to remain vigilant for potential floods, flash floods and poor visibility. 

Additionally the weatherman urges Kenyans to avoid driving through or walking in moving water. They should also not shelter under trees during rainfall sessions or near grilled windows since this will increase their exposure to lighting strikes. 

‎Strong winds are expected to persist in most parts of the county. They will be blowing from the southern side to the south eastern direction at a speed exceeding 25knots or 12.5m/s.