On Wednesday, August 20, Kitui County Chief Officer for Agriculture and Fisheries, Gladys Kivoto, visited families in Thangilani village, Musenge, Mutha Ward, who were left homeless after suspected camel herders torched their homesteads a week ago.

This inhuman incident displaced more than 400 people after their houses, food stores, and belongings were set ablaze, forcing them to flee Thangilani village to Musenge area. The victims, including young children and mothers, have since been sheltering at the compound of a local resident, Mzee Kasina, where they have been sleeping in the open and under trees, exposed to cold nights, wild animals like snakes, and harsh conditions. Where it’s reported one child has been hospitalized with breathing complications linked to the dire environment.

Moved by their plight, the ever present figure to the people of Kitui South in the time of need, CO Gladys Kivoto delivered the much-needed relief to the displaced families, distributing mattresses, blankets, clothes, polythene sheets for setting up temporary shelter, and foodstuffs sourced from her farm produce. She noted that her intervention was meant to cushion the families from the suffering they have endured since the attack.

“I have come today to bring them these basic commodities to help them endure this difficult situation. They have been sleeping in the cold and on bare soil, which exposes them to more danger. These mattresses, beddings, and foodstuffs will at least offer some relief,” Kivoto said.

On Monday this week, the Chief Officer had visited the families to assess their needs, where she also provided food and clothing, before returning with additional support on Wednesday.

YOU MISSED: CO Gladys Kivoto Visits Families Left Homeless After Homesteads Burnt Down by Suspected Camel Herders’ Attack in Musenge, Mutha Ward

Kivoto also called on the national government to move with speed in addressing the recurring insecurity in Mutha Ward, warning that the community has suffered prolonged attacks from camel herders.

“The people of Mutha Ward have been abandoned to insecurity for too long. We need urgent action from the relevant authorities to end these attacks,” she urged.

As part of her official duties as the Chief Officer for Agriculture and Fisheries, CO Gladys Kivoto also took time to assess the extensive damage caused to farms in Thangilani, Musenge in Mutha Ward, where suspected camel herders have been driving their camels into residents’ farmlands, destroying crops and threatening food security in the area.

She further appealed to leaders, well-wishers, and humanitarian organizations to come to the aid of the affected families, and especially school-going children whose books and uniforms were destroyed during the attack, leaving them uncertain about returning to school next week.

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