Three killed in Kitui attack

By Paul Mutua

KITU; KENYA: Three people were shot dead when armed bandits attacked a remote village in Malalani location, Kitui East constituency on Friday.

The three, two men and a woman were sprayed with bullets in a brief confrontation with the assailants of Somali origin.

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe condemned the attack and urged the police to beef up security along the county’s boarders to safeguard lives and property of residents.

Dr Malombe said a crisis security meeting will be held next week with their Tana River counterparts to look into a lasting solution to insecurity at the two counties’ boarders.

Reports indicated that pastoralists who were driving their livestock to a watering point in Ililuni village, Twambui sub location, ran into a conflict with local farmers who protested their presence in the area.

In a fury of anger, the attackers removed guns and shot at the villagers killing the three on the spot. They first shot dead a woman who was driving a donkey from a swallow well. The two other deceased were shot as they ran to the rescue of the woman.

Malombe said the armed gangsters who were suspected to be from North Eastern Province were posing as pastoralists committed murders and mayhem along the Kitui-Tana River counties’ boarders.

“We had fatal incidences in Endau, Malalani, Ukasi, Mutha, Kaningo and Tseikuru areas where our people have been attacked, killed and their property either destroyed or stolen. We need to establish permanent security measures to curb this menace once and for all,” said the Governor.

Malombe called on the security agents to disarm and flush out criminals who cause fear and despondency among local villagers.