At least seven people were shot and killed in a brutal attack at Kwa Kamare area in Tseikuru Sub-County, Kitui County.
Officials believe the attack was a retaliatory raid linked to earlier inter-community violence.
Another man was found with a gunshot wound and taken to the hospital, police said.
The area has been experiencing attacks linked to pastures which have left at least a dozen people dead and others wounded in the past months, police said.
The latest incident was reported on April 25, 2026 at around 9:48 p.m., after gunshots were heard in the area.
A security team was dispatched to the scene which was more than 70 kilometers away from a nearby station, police spokesman Michael Muchiri said.
However, due to poor road infrastructure and limited network coverage, the officers arrived after the attackers—estimated to be about 40 and suspected to be a militia—had already fled.
A search of the area led to the discovery of three bodies at Kwa Kamare, all bearing gunshot wounds and deep cut injuries.
Investigators also recovered several spent cartridges of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, suggesting the use of high-powered firearms.
Further information from local residents led officers to the nearby Mwingi Game Reserve, where four additional bodies were found, bringing the total death toll to seven.
One survivor sustained a gunshot wound to the hip and was rushed to Tseikuru Sub-County Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
The deceased were identified as Nicholaus Muthi Syengo, 70, Damaris Matei Mbila, 36, Tito Munyoki Muthi, 27, Mutua Kituo, 63, Syengo Mwangangi, 65
Kilonzi Kauni, 55 and Mulandi Kauni, 60.
Their bodies were moved to Kyuso Sub-County Hospital mortuary for preservation and postmortem examination.
Preliminary investigations indicate the attack may have been a revenge mission following a recent incident in which five members of the Somali community were reportedly killed by individuals from the area.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols in the area as tensions remain high, with authorities urging residents to remain calm as investigations continue.
Police fear more attacks will happen in the area. This has prompted deployment of more personnel to tame the plans. The area is a semi desert and is expansive hence difficult to police.
Police headquarters said more personnel had been sent to the area to help in pursuing the attackers for justice.
The region has experienced repeated incidents of inter-communal violence in recent months.
On March 27, 2026, clashes in the Tangamano cluster reportedly left at least 10 people injured. Earlier incidents along the Tana River–Kitui border in April resulted in several fatalities, while violence in December 2025 left at least 14 people dead and displaced more than 1,800 residents.
Security analysts and peace actors have previously linked the recurring clashes to competition over scarce resources, particularly water and pasture, worsened by persistent drought conditions.
The government has been running a campaign to disarm local communities. This has led to the recovery of about 50 guns but more remain in the hands of civilians, officials said.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
