By Elias Ombogo
Tension is high in Mutha Ward, Kitui South, after armed bandits allegedly beheaded middle-aged man and left three others nursing serious injuries. Dozens of families too fled their homes, fearing for their lives.
A sombre mood has engulfed Mutha area of Kitui South following the deadly banditry attack, which has left the residents in great fear for their lives since they can’t comprehend when the next similar occurrence may hit them.
The attackers said to have been masquerading as Somali camel herders, reportedly killed and inflicted injuries on the victims following sporadic pasture-related conflicts characterizing the remote part of Kitui County.
According to Joram King’ondu, a resident of Musenge Village, the bandits, unprovoked, attacked his neighbour while resting at his home and beheaded him on Sunday evening.
Jonathan Ngau, who is recuperating at Mutomo Mission Hospital, was also attacked while on a motorbike with his friend and severely injured after one of the assailants pierced him on his left ribs with a spear. Katuku Kieti, another resident from Ndulani village is also admitted at the same hospital. The bandits waylaid her on her way home and nearly chopped off her left arm.
Speaking, Dr John Amolo said the victims, including another male nursing bullet wounds to the leg, were responding well to treatment and were in stable condition.
Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai blamed the state for failure to provide a lasting solution to the age-old banditry in the area. Nyamai appealed to interior Cs Fred Matiang’ i to swiftly initiate disarmament and eviction of the bandits from Kitui County as part of restoring peace along the volatile Kitui-Tana River border.
Mutomo DCC Ronald Nyakasi on his part said security officers are currently sightseeing the area and that several suspects have been arrested in connection to Sunday’s murder.
The residents, however, are appealing to the Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’ i to come to their rescue since the security officers in the area are not effective. Banditry attacks have been experienced in Kitui County for more than three decades now, and many have always lost their loved ones. But sadly, there has been no long-lasting solution to the situation