KITUI– The recurring conflicts between Kamba communities and camel herders in Mwingi North, Mwingi Central, Kitui East and Kitui South cannot be solved by political blame games, theatrics, or short-term security operations, argues Mulaimu Mavusyu.
In a hard-hitting reflection, Mavusyu says leaders have for years chosen “public outrage, threats and politics” over real solutions, even as killings continue without arrests.
“Our people have been killed before, yet no one is ever arrested. The same is likely to happen in the current Tseikuru and Nguni cases,” he warns. “After the burials, the matter will slowly fade away like many previous incidents, until another tragedy occurs and the cycle of anger and condemnation begins again. This reflects a complete failure of leadership.”
Beyond Reactions: The Root Causes
Mavusyu insists Kitui has the knowledge to end the menace but lacks “innovative thinking, political goodwill, commitment and courage” from leaders.
He calls for benchmarking from counties like Makueni, Narok, Samburu and parts of North Eastern Region, where communities have built home-grown solutions to land use, grazing disputes, and border conflicts.
The Corridor Solution
One practical fix, he says, is a protected animal corridor running from the Mwingi North Reserve to Kitui South. It would integrate:
- Private conservancies
- Community conservancies
- County government wildlife conservancies
At the same time, the Kitui County Assembly must enact laws that:
- Protect community land use
- Restrict or prohibit illegal grazing by non-residents
- Introduce strict penalties for illegal herding
“For example, imposing heavy fines for every camel illegally grazed within protected areas or corridors would discourage unlawful grazing, help remove alleged illegal herders through lawful means and restore long-term order,” Mavusyu notes.
Policy Already Exists, Action Lags
He points out that Governor Dr. Malombe included the corridor agenda in his last campaign manifesto. The conservancy plan is also “properly captured in the County 2024 Revised CIDP.” What’s missing is speed.
“That process now needs to be fast-tracked, especially by MCAs from the affected regions, while ensuring a proper budget allocation is put in place,” he says. A clear county policy would also attract conservation partners and development agencies to fund the plan.
Wake-Up Call to Leaders
Mavusyu challenges MPs and MCAs from affected areas to “wake up from slumber, speak with one voice and champion practical solutions instead of endless political statements after every attack.”
Beyond reducing human conflict, he argues, the corridor and laws would:
- Address human-wildlife conflict
- Reduce environmental destruction such as charcoal burning
- Promote conservation
- Create tourism opportunities
- Improve livelihoods for local communities
Bottom Line
“The long-term solution lies in sound policy, conservation, community participation and proper land management — not endless reactions after every tragedy,” Mavusyu concludes. “This is the time for serious reflection on this very unfortunate matter.”
-Mulaimu Mavusyu
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