Kitui County Commissioner Erastus Mbui Announces Tight Security Crackdown on Sand Harvesting
Kitui County Commissioner Erastus Mbui has announced tough security measures to regulate sand harvesting activities across the county following deadly clashes between suspected sand cartels and local residents in Mwingi Central.
Speaking at his office on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Mr. Mbui said the county security apparatus will now closely monitor sand harvesting activities following rising concerns over insecurity linked to suspected organized groups involved in the trade. “We will now give special attention to sand harvesting activities across Kitui County. Security agencies will closely monitor all operations, as there are indications that organized groups may be behind the violence during sand harvesting,” said Mr. Mbui.
The County Commissioner described the recent violence as a wake-up call to security agencies, noting that similar incidents have occurred in previous years. He affirmed that the government would no longer tolerate activities that threaten lives and destabilize communities. “This is not the first case of this calibre. There have been similar incidents before. We will now give special attention to sand harvesting activities across Kitui County to prevent further loss of life,” he said.
Mr. Mbui’s announcement comes a day after a deadly confrontation at Mwania River between suspected sand cartels and residents in Kaunguni Village, Waita Ward, Mwingi Central Sub-County, which resulted in the death of 70-year-old Joseph Mwendwa Maluki.
Maluki succumbed to multiple injuries at Mwingi Level IV Hospital after he was reportedly attacked during violent clashes between suspected sand cartels and unarmed residents protesting against uncontrolled sand harvesting along the Mwania River.
Several other villagers sustained injuries during the melee, with one victim referred to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi for specialised treatment.
Witnesses said the violence erupted when about 100 residents, including men, women, and elderly persons, peacefully marched to the riverbank to protest ongoing sand scooping, which they claimed had caused severe environmental degradation and threatened their livelihoods.
According to witnesses, the violence erupted when about 100 residents, including men, women, and elderly persons, were peacefully marching to the riverbank to protest against the ongoing sand scooping, which they say has caused severe environmental degradation and threatened their livelihoods.
Witnesses reported that a lorry carrying armed individuals arrived at the scene and immediately attacked the protesters using pangas, machetes, rungus, catapults, and other crude weapons, dispersing the crowd in what appeared to be a coordinated assault.
Mr. Mbui confirmed that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Mwingi Central have launched investigations to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack. “The DCI has already taken over investigations into the matter. We want to ensure those involved in the violence are arrested and prosecuted according to the law,” he said.
He further revealed that a joint security meeting involving the Mwingi Central Deputy County Commissioner and his Mwingi East counterpart, alongside members of the sub-county security committee, resolved to implement a total ban on sand harvesting activities in the affected area as investigations continue. “I want to assure the public that those involved in planning and carrying out the attack will face the full force of the law,” Mr. Mbui added.
The County Commissioner also urged opinion leaders and political figures to refrain from inciting residents, warning that any actions likely to escalate tensions would be dealt with firmly. He emphasized that human life is precious and must be protected at all costs.
Additionally, Mr. Mbui said security agencies will have an engagement with the Kitui County Government to streamline sand harvesting operations and ensure they are conducted legally, sustainably, and in accordance with environmental regulations.
He emphasized that the government remains committed to protecting residents, preserving the environment, and restoring order in affected areas.
The latest incident has heightened concerns over the growing influence of sand cartels in Kitui County, with residents increasingly calling for stricter enforcement of existing regulations to prevent further violence, environmental destruction, and loss of life.
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