By DPCS and MKT Reporter
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured residents of Kitui County that the government has strengthened security operations following recent deadly incidents linked to resource-based conflicts in the area.
Speaking yesterday after attending the 3rd Annual Regulatory Authorities and Agencies Conference at South Eastern Kenya University, the Deputy President said security agencies have been instructed to intensify surveillance, increase patrols, and improve coordination to prevent further escalation of violence.
Kindiki noted that the government is treating the recent incidents not as isolated cases but as part of a broader security challenge requiring sustained intervention. He emphasized that both immediate and long-term measures are being implemented to restore stability and protect communities.
“I want to assure the people of Kitui that the government will ensure they are safe. The government has directed all those responsible for security to ensure the latest incident is not treated as an isolated case,” he said.
The Deputy President acknowledged that the clashes in Kitui are largely driven by competition over natural resources such as land and water, especially in areas prone to drought and environmental stress. He warned that such tensions are often exploited by criminal elements who use local grievances to instigate violence, cattle rustling, and other forms of insecurity.
He said the government is committed to dismantling criminal networks that thrive under the guise of resource disputes, adding that similar strategies used to curb banditry in other regions will be applied in Kitui.
“The same way we have been able to suppress banditry and terrorism significantly, we will do the same to crack down on those hiding in resource conflicts to perpetuate crime,” he stated.
Kindiki further emphasized that no individual, regardless of social or political standing, will be exempt from prosecution if found culpable. He warned that accountability would extend to public officials and political leaders alleged to be involved in fueling or benefiting from the conflicts.
“If a political leader or a government official is involved, then action will be taken against them because crime is crime and is punishable by law,” he said.
The Deputy President also revealed that the government is working on a multi-agency long-term strategy that includes strengthening early warning systems, improving intelligence gathering, and enhancing rapid response capabilities in volatile areas.
In addition, he said the government is engaging local leaders, peace committees, and community elders to support reconciliation efforts and promote dialogue among affected communities. Development initiatives aimed at improving access to water, infrastructure, and alternative livelihoods are also part of the broader peace-building framework.
Residents have in recent weeks expressed concern over recurring clashes that have disrupted normal life, displaced families, and heightened fear in some parts of the county. Security agencies have since increased their presence in hotspot areas, with patrol units deployed to deter further violence.
Kindiki concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Kitui and other regions facing similar challenges, stating that security is a fundamental responsibility that the state will not compromise on.
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