Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has issued a hardline seven-day ultimatum to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale: remove all camels from Kitui County by next Monday, or face the consequences.
In a pointed social media post on Wednesday, Wambua declared that no camel belonging to Duale or his herders should be found anywhere within Kitui’s soil.
“Mr. Duale, your camels should not be found anywhere within Kitui County by next Monday,” the Senator wrote, adding, “Ni siku 4 pekee zimebakia!” (Only four days remain).
Wambua’s tone left no room for negotiation. “In simple terms; we don’t want any camel, anywhere in our County Soil,” he stated, ending with a stark warning: “Let’s then count the days.”
The ultimatum highlights worsening tensions between Kitui residents and camel keepers from pastoralist communities, believed to be operating under Duale’s influence.
Locals have complained that the camels are straying onto farmland, destroying crops, and consuming scarce water resources meant for livestock and people.
Several altercations have been reported, with residents accusing herders of trespassing and intimidation.
While Duale has not yet responded publicly, the dispute risks escalating into a regional political clash between Ukambani and Northeastern leadership.
Pastoral migration is traditionally protected by customary grazing corridors, but Kitui leaders argue that climate change and shrinking rangelands no longer permit uncontrolled entry.
Senator Wambua has previously defended Kitui’s territorial rights, and this Monday deadline suggests county authorities may be preparing to forcefully evict the animals if Duale fails to act.
Observers warn that without urgent mediation, the standoff could ignite further violence along the county border.
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