Senator Enoch Wambua, the Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, has strongly criticized the arrest of Nguni Ward MCA, Hon. Jeremiah Mutua, by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The arrest, which occurred amidst ongoing inter-community tensions between camel herders and local residents in Kitui County, has sparked outrage, with Wambua calling for the immediate release of the MCA.
The conflict involves camel herders, mainly of Somali descent, and residents in Ngomeni and Nguni Wards. Tensions have been particularly high around Kasiluni, Mandongoi, Sosoma, and Ukasi, where clashes have occurred over land usage. Hon. Mutua is accused of inciting locals against the herders, an allegation Senator Wambua has labeled as unfair and politically motivated.
The timing of the arrest, just days before a scheduled peace meeting involving leaders from Kitui and Tana River counties, has further fueled frustrations. “It is absurd that an elected leader fighting for the rights of his people is being targeted,” said Senator Wambua in a statement. He also warned state agencies, including the DCI and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), against what he described as “selective arrests” of local leaders.
Senator Wambua emphasized that the people of Kitui will not cede any land and called for the arrest of the actual criminals responsible for violence in the area. “We are ready to pursue peace with all men and women, but only when everyone retreats to their own land,” he declared.
The arrest has raised concerns about escalating tensions in Kitui County, as leaders demand that authorities focus on resolving the underlying issues rather than intimidating elected officials.
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