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No more ethnic killings in my backyard, says Kindiki

He vowed to end the killings and border clashes 'in days'.

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by gerald mutethia

Counties08 May 2023 - 20:00
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In Summary


  • • Kindiki warned politicians inciting locals into clashes over land or to solicit votes
  • • Two people were killed in Imenti South on the border with Tharaka Nithi in March

If you fuel border animosity and engage in grabbing land and property from innocent people, whether politicians or whoever, your days are numbered, says Interior CS Prof Kithure Kindiki.

Kindiki said he can’t champion peaceful coexistence and fight bandits in other regions within Kenya but some individuals are pulling him down in his own Mt Kenya East region for their own political gains.

Two people were killed in cold blood at Kaurone in Imenti South subcounty on the border with Tharaka Nithi county in March 2022.

In 2017, seven people were killed and about 700 0thers displaced after clashes between the Meru tribe and their neighbours, the Borana from Isiolo county.

In 2018, two cars one belonging to an advocate and his follower were burnt down at Kathangachwe near Gatithini on the border of Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties over an alleged land dispute.

Speaking yesterday when he attended a church service at Chaaria Cotollengo Catholic Church, where he donated more than a million, Kindiki said politicians inciting locals to fight each other in the name of false land acquisition or to solicit votes will face the full force of the law.

It is just a matter of days before we end it. It’s not a joke. How can I successfully fight crime countrywide and fail in my home?

“We are all brothers and sisters. It was fuelled by politics. Those behind it are criminals regardless of sub-tribe,” he said.

“It is just a matter of days before we end it. It’s not a joke. How can I successfully fight crime countrywide and fail in my home?”

Leaders who accompanied the CS included Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi, Meru speaker Ayub Bundi and majority leader Evans Mawira.

They rooted for his elevation to Mt Kenya East Kingpin due to his stellar performance in the ministry and being a uniting factor in the region.

Aburi said Meru residents are kinsmen who should coexist peacefully and urged the government to issue title deeds to those with the land regardless of their subtribe.

He said he will continue to support the government of President William Ruto despite being elected to parliament on a NOPEU party ticket.

He said nobody should be allowed to divide the community on a subtribe basis for their own selfish personal gains, and called for unity and peace among the residents to spur development.

Nominated MP Muthoni lauded Prof Kindiki for the outstanding performance in his docket.

She said a law should be enacted to ensure parents living with disabled children are given government stipends to take care of them because they spend almost all their time looking after the kids, with no extra time to earn a livelihood.

Bundi called for unity talks between leaders living within the disputed borders to enable residents to coexist peacefully.

He promised to create another subcounty in the Central Imenti constituency in three months once they complete the official process of requesting it.

He said they fully recognise Prof Kindiki as the Mount Kenya East kingpin and promised to support him in uniting and souring growth in the region.

He appealed to Prof Kindiki to assist them to get another subcounty in Central Imenti to enable them to benefit from the national cake, especially in employment.

Mawira appealed for the employment of four more sub-chiefs in Mitunguu to enable them to fight vices, including early pregnancies, school dropouts and drug and alcohol abuse.

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