This was as a result of conflicts between herders of Somali origin and residents farming along the border of the two counties. This follows a series of peaceful negotiations between the herders and the local leadership championed by Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai and Mutitu Deputy County Commissioner Banjamin Nzioka. Somali herders have to pave way for the new dispensation, and that is why we have first adopted the negotiation way,” said Mr Mbai. He said that the population of the Somali herders in the area has drastically increased over time. The Somali herders have set up temporally living structures and market centres in Kinanie , something which has angered the local community who from time to time decry insecurity caused by herders who at some point end up killing innocent farmers.

Source: Daily Nation January 08, 2018 04:41 UTC