Seven Killed in Suspected Bandit Attack in Kitui as Homes Are Burned Down

Seven Killed in Suspected Bandit Attack in Kitui as Homes Are Burned Down

At least seven people have been killed and several homes torched following a suspected banditry attack in Kamari village, Tseikuru, Kitui County, in an incident that has heightened fears over escalating insecurity in parts of the country.

The attack, which occurred on Saturday, April 25, is believed to have been carried out by armed assailants suspected to be herders, who stormed the village and opened fire on residents before fleeing the scene.

According to police reports, the victims—six men and one woman—were attacked while working on a farm, with the gunmen shooting them at close range. Authorities indicated that the assailants later escaped towards the Mwingi Game Reserve using a Toyota Probox.

Kitui County Commissioner Erastus Mbui confirmed the incident, noting that one individual survived the attack but sustained serious gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Tseikuru Level IV Hospital.

The violence also left a trail of destruction, with several homes set ablaze, displacing families and forcing residents to flee for safety into nearby bushland amid fears of further attacks.

“The victims included one woman and six men, and one survivor is currently fighting for his life in hospital,” Mbui stated.

Preliminary investigations suggest the attack may have been retaliatory in nature, linked to earlier clashes between herders and local communities in the area. Security officials indicated that tensions had been building following the killing of a herder, believed to have triggered the latest assault.

“It is retaliation after a herder from one community killed a herder from another in the game park. This appears to be a counterattack,” a police officer said.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent challenge of banditry and inter-community conflict in parts of the Upper Eastern and North Rift regions, where disputes over grazing land, water resources, and livestock theft have often turned deadly.

Residents in the affected area have called on the government to enhance security presence and take decisive action to prevent further loss of life and property.

In recent months, similar attacks have been reported in neighbouring counties, including Meru, Isiolo, Samburu, and Turkana, raising concerns over the spread and coordination of bandit groups across regions.

The government has, in response, stepped up efforts to curb banditry, including deploying additional security personnel and specialised equipment to affected areas.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki recently reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring order, stating that security operations would be intensified and prioritised.

“The government of Kenya will use all instruments of war—our military, police officers, tanks, and aircraft—to confront the bandits,” Kindiki said in a past address.

“The President has directed that both the police and the Kenya Defence Forces suspend other duties and focus on fighting criminal gangs in this region,” he added.

Security agencies have since launched a manhunt for the attackers involved in the Kitui incident, with patrols intensified around the Mwingi Game Reserve and surrounding areas to track down the suspects.

Humanitarian concerns are also emerging, as displaced families remain without shelter following the destruction of their homes. Local leaders have appealed for urgent assistance, including food, temporary housing, and medical support for the injured.

As investigations continue, the attack underscores the urgent need for long-term solutions to address the root causes of banditry, including resource conflicts, illegal firearms, and weak enforcement in remote areas.

For now, residents of Kamari village remain on edge, grappling with the aftermath of the violence while hoping for swift justice and enhanced security to prevent further tragedies.

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Seven Killed in Suspected Bandit Attack in Kitui as Homes Are Burned Down