Eight police stations in Kitui, Tana River, and Garissa borders will be constructed and put into service by the government in an attempt to foster peace in the region.
Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe said the move is aimed at achieving long-lasting peace and protection of the people. He cited the recurrent attacks that have caused fatalities along the unguarded, porous border.
Read also: Construction underway for $4 million police station in Lusaka’s MFEZ
According to Malombe, the first five police stations would be constructed in the wards of Endau, Malalani, Mutha, Nguni, and Ngomeni after the signing of the MOU. The county’s and the National Police Service‘s cooperation was lauded by the governor as well.
He also commended the county assembly of Kitui for allocating funding for the development of the five police stations. President Dr. William Ruto had pledged to operationalize the stations once they were complete during his recent visit to Kitui.
How the police stations in Kitui, Tana River, and Garissa will impact the region
He said that the county will be able to improve its security delivery mechanisms in locations and wards. Security will also be improved in sub-counties, as well as along county borders, thanks to this partnership. According to him, the safety of the citizens remains his top concern.
He stated that the majority of the area’s conflicts are caused by grazing immigrant communities in protected areas, and theft of cattle. Other causes include poaching, artisanal and small-scale mining, the use of water and pasture, and the production of charcoal.
Dominic Mwamisi urged the national and county governments to speed up the construction of police stations. This is in order to reduce the danger of insecurity in the affected areas.
The Kitui National Game Reserve aggravates the existing insecurity all along the porous border of the Kitui, Garissa, and Tana Rivers. It has long been utilized as a gateway into the host county by camel herders from the neighboring counties.
Wambua Kanani, the county deputy governor, Erastus Mbui, members of the county security and intelligence committee, MCAs, CECMS, and county chief officers were among those in attendance when the MOU was signed.
