Security teams from Kitui and Tana River have called upon residents living along the porous border of the two counties to co-exist peacefully and end perennial violent conflict.
The two county security teams convened a day-long meeting in the wake of a border dispute arising from a site earmarked for construction of a border police station at a location in Bangale ward, Bura constituency in Tana River.
A section of Tana River County residents and majorly at Bangale ward which borders Mwingi East Constituency, stopped construction of the said border police station at the earmarked point, until a survey is done to establish official border points dividing the two counties.
County Commissioners Jepchumba Rutto of Kitui and David Koskey of Tana River, while addressing the residents of Bangale during the meeting, appealed to them to allow the construction of the border police station irrespective of the earmarked border area for its construction.
The two administrators reiterated that the border police station is meant to provide the much-needed security services to all border communities in the two counties, emphasizing that the government is committed towards helping residents of both counties and wants the communities to co-exist peacefully.
Both County Commissioners advocated for the construction of the border police station at the area noting that security officers from both counties would continue to work closely to ensure there is a lasting peace.
“We are working together as security agents from both counties as well as collaborating with the two county governments to ensure there is peace and stability at the border,” Kitui County Commissioner Mr Jepchumba Rutto said.
The disputed construction of a police station at the Bangale border area is one of the eight border police stations, currently under construction and funded by Kitui County government in conjunction with the national government in efforts to restore peace among the border communities.
County Commissioner Rutto also condemned the murder of two residents in the Mwingi North Constituency last month.
He said the two were shot dead by armed herders from Tana River county who had crossed over to Kitui county in search of pasture.
Residents present during the meeting, admitted witnessing boundary conflicts, including violence resulting in fatalities and cattle rustling activities that have deeply affected residents in both counties.
The two administrators called for the formation of border peace committees comprising representatives from both Bura and Mwingi East Constituencies to foster dialogue, mediate disputes, and promote sustainable solutions to outstanding grievances, thereby pave way for peaceful coexistence and development in the border areas.
Tana River County Commissioner David Koskey, issued a stern warning that any illegally armed herder involved in causing insecurity within the borders of the two counties will face the full wrath of the law once caught.
Historically, recurrent conflicts have been witnessed between the farmers in Kitui county and armed herders from neighbouring border counties including Garissa and Tana River.
Communities living along the border in Tana River have been crossing over into Kitui county in search of pasture and water leading to conflicts and scores of deaths hence the need to address the biting insecurity menace along the county borders.
By Chris Mumo and Brian Kaleso
