Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered the deployment of the General Service Unit (GSU) and Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) officers to parts of Kitui County following a series of security incidents that have unsettled residents and disrupted transport along the Mwingi–Garissa corridor.
In a statement on April 29, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that the deployment targets the Tseikuru and Ukasi areas, where criminal attacks and related unrest have raised safety concerns among residents, traders, and travelers.
“The NPS has deployed specialized teams, including the General Service Unit and Rapid Deployment Unit, to escort vehicles along the Mwingi–Garissa Road and to enhance safety and security for businesses, travelers, and the public,” read the notice.
Police Deploy Special Units to Restore Calm Along Mwingi–Garissa Road
According to the police, the attacks, though carried out by a small number of criminal suspects, have caused fear within the affected communities and prompted the need for enhanced security operations.
The authority stressed that the incidents should not be interpreted as community-based conflict and urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could worsen tensions.
Also Read: Two Police Officers Jailed Over Death of Suspect in Custody
As part of the security measures, specialized police teams have been assigned to escort vehicles along the Mwingi–Garissa Road, a route that has recently been disrupted by attacks and protests.
Public transport operators have previously suspended services on the road due to security fears, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
“The deployment is aimed at enhancing the safety of travelers, businesses, and residents, while restoring confidence in the affected areas,” the police said.
Investigative and intelligence units have also been mobilized to track down those responsible for the attacks.
In addition, police noted that officers are following leads the swiftly apprehend suspects and ensure they are held accountable through the legal process.
Kitui Attacks Trigger Heightened Security Response
Violent attacks in parts of Kitui County have left at least seven people dead, several others injured, and property destroyed, fueling fear and tension in the region.
An incident on the night of April 25, when armed attackers stormed Kwa Kamari area in Tseikuru, Mwingi North Sub-county, opening fire on residents.
Also Read: Govt Shifts to Electric Vehicles for Police and Public Officers in New Leasing Plan
The NPS said the assailants killed six men and one woman, torched shops, a petrol station, and motorcycles, and later fled towards the nearby Mwingi Game Reserve.
One survivor sustained gunshot wounds and was admitted to the hospital, while the bodies of the victims were taken to Kyuso Mortuary for post-mortem examination.
Investigators linked the attack to a cycle of retaliatory violence that began weeks earlier in the region.
On March 29, a herdsman was killed near the Mwingi Game Reserve, followed by the killing of four people in a suspected revenge attack the next day.
The April 25 incident marked the deadliest escalation so far, prompting senior security officials to visit the area and order reinforcements.
In the aftermath, tensions spilled over into Ukasi Ward, also in Kitui County, where protests and isolated acts of violence were reported.
The unrest disrupted transport along the Mwingi–Garissa Road, with some buses stoned and travel suspended.
Police were forced to provide armed escorts to stranded vehicles as residents in affected areas demanded justice for the victims.
