Leaders urge calm as tensions remain high in Garissa and Kitui

by STEPHEN ASTARIKOSunday May 3, 2026

Residents of Mwingi barricade the Busy Nairobi-Garissa road in Mwingi town./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Leaders from Garissa are urging restraint as insecurity continues to stir fear and deepen friction between communities in Garissa and Kitui counties.

The unrest has already begun to choke trade, disrupt travel and strain livelihoods across the region.

On Monday, bus operators suspended services on the Garissa–Mwingi–Nairobi route after a string of attacks and rising tension between pastoralists and farmers, a crisis that escalated sharply when bandits killed eight people in Kitui county last Saturday.

The most recent killing was reported on Tuesday, when suspected herders from the neighbouring county allegedly killed a 16-year-old boy in the Katanginia area while he was tending goats.

In response, outraged residents in Kitui county have taken to the busy road in protests, demanding justice for those who have lost their lives.

Security officers are still working to clear the road and reopen traffic, even as anxiety remains high.

Speaking separately to reporters, Garissa Peace Committee secretary Hassan Osman appealed to people on both sides to remain calm and give investigators room to do their work.

He said peace must be protected at all costs, warning that revenge attacks would only inflame an already volatile situation.

“We understand the anger and frustration among residents, especially following the loss of innocent lives, but taking law into your own hands will only worsen the insecurity we are already facing,” Osman said.

“I am appealing to everyone to remain calm and cooperate with authorities. Peace is paramount and we all need it. When it is disrupted, we are all affected in one way or another,” he added.

Human rights defender Muktar Dahir also called for calm, saying justice must be pursued without triggering more violence.

He urged security agencies to move quickly and openly as they probe the incidents.

“What we need now is accountability and protection for all residents. The government must ensure those responsible are brought to justice, but communities must also avoid actions that could put more lives at risk,” Dahir said.

He further denounced what he described as inciteful remarks and inflammatory messages circulated in recent days by some individuals, saying such rhetoric only widens divisions and raises the risk of more bloodshed.

Youth leader Nasteh Farah likewise appealed to young people to reject violence and pursue dialogue with leaders and authorities through peaceful channels.

He said the youth have valid concerns, but added that vandalism and attacks on public transport punish the wider community. “As young people, we must be part of the solution, not the problem.

Destroying property and attacking vehicles will only isolate our community further and worsen the situation,” Farah said.

He called for a stronger security presence in the affected areas and pressed the national government to act urgently to restore order and rebuild trust among residents.

The suspension of bus services has left many stranded and frustrated, while pressure builds on the government to quickly convene security talks involving residents and leaders from both counties.

“We cannot continue like this; a solution to this perennial issue between the farmers and herders has to be urgently found. We cannot continue losing lives, followed by disruptions to our lives due to problems that are not of our own making,” Mohamed Hussein said.

Hussein, who had planned to travel to Nakuru to take his son back to school for the second term, questioned the silence of leaders from both sides, insisting they should be taking the lead in engaging their communities and working toward a lasting solution.