Residents of Kitui County living along the border with Tana River are now living in fear of attacks with some fleeing their homes following an influx of camel herders of Somali origin.
The areas which have been affected include parts of Mwingi like Ukasi, Kalamba, Kandolongwe, Engamba in Mwingi Central Constituency and parts of Mutha in Kitui South Constituency.
According to Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi who toured the affected areas in his constituency on Tuesday, several schools might close before the term ends after most parents recalled their children.
Learning at Engamba Primary School has already been disrupted due to rising cases of insecurity in the area while neighbouring Kamuluyuni Primary School has only 57 pupils.
Dr Mulyungi also complained that more than 1,000 herders have set up a residential camp in his constituency where they are living with their families.
It is reported that the herders are being supplied with water using boozers.
“These people have invaded all the farms at Engamba in Nuu where they have established a camp. Education has completely been paralysed in the nearby schools. The government must intervene to rescue the situation,” said Dr Mulyungi.
The legislator said that there is need for the national government to intervene and save the situation before insecurity along the border rises.
More than 30 people have lost their lives owing to clashes between Somali herders and Kamba farmers in the last two years.
“It’s worth noting that in the last two years we have lost more than 30 Kambas owing to border insecurity hence the need for the national government to immediately intervene before any blood is shed,” added MP.