lowereas
A dark cloud continues to hang over the rivers of Kitui County, where blood has reportedly been spilled in the ruthless scramble for sand wealth, yet leaders in Mwingi Central remain conspicuously silent.
Even after reported killings linked to the fierce control of sand harvesting sites along major rivers, not a single elected leader from the area from the Member of Parliament to Members of the County Assembly has publicly spoken out. Their silence has only fueled anger among residents who now accuse powerful individuals, described as “big names,” of hiding behind the shadows while chaos reigns.
At the centre of the storm is the sand harvesting board, which critics now say has outlived its purpose and allegedly become a shield for cartelism instead of a regulator of order. Calls are growing louder that the board must be disbanded entirely if peace is to be restored and the bloodshed stopped.
Residents argue that instead of regulating the sector, the current structure has allegedly enabled monopolies, intimidation, and violent competition over the lucrative sand business. What was meant to be a source of income for local communities has, according to locals, turned into a deadly battlefield.
The killings along the rivers have shaken families and left communities living in fear. Yet, the deafening silence from leaders elected to protect the people has become the loudest statement of all.
Observers say leadership is tested in moments of crisis and this is one such moment. The people of Mwingi Central are now demanding accountability, transparency, and immediate intervention to dismantle what they term as entrenched sand cartels operating with impunity.
As tension simmers, the message from the ground is clear: peace will not return to the rivers of Kitui until the alleged cartel networks are crushed, justice is served, and leaders break their silence.
ENDS///…
