Fresh fears of ethnic clashes have emerged in Tana River County, with some local politicians linking the unrest to early political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election in a region where clan politics remains influential.
Security officials have now warned politicians against forming armed militia groups as police step up operations to recover illegal firearms following a spate of deadly communal attacks in recent weeks.
Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno said security agencies were closely monitoring individuals suspected of mobilising armed groups to destabilise the county, warning that those found engaging in criminal activities would face the full force of the law.
Speaking in Hola after a meeting of the County Security Committee, Mr Nuno issued a three-day ultimatum to people in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them voluntarily to the police.
"The operation to recover illegal firearms is ongoing. We urge anyone in possession of illegal guns to surrender them to the police. Anyone found with an illegal firearm, particularly if they intend to carry out attacks or incite one community against another, will face the full force of the law," he said.
The warning comes amid heightened security concerns following recent attacks in Bangale that left six people dead, including a senior police officer, in what authorities believe were clashes involving rival communities. Mr Nuno said the ongoing crackdown has so far led to the recovery of two illegal firearms and six rounds of ammunition.
He appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by volunteering information that could help identify those behind the violence and the proliferation of illegal weapons.
Tana River County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi said security agencies had observed inflammatory messages circulating on social media aimed at fuelling divisions among communities.
"We are witnessing signs of political incitement through content being circulated on social media. Anyone found to be involved whether a Member of Parliament, a Member of County Assembly or any other leader and against whom sufficient evidence is available, will face legal action," Mr Mwangi said.
He said security agencies would remain vigilant as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
Last week, Tana River Governor Dhado Godhana condemned the recent wave of violence and called on the national government to restore peace in Bangale.
"I extend my condolences to the National Police Service following the death of Officer Commanding Station Sylvester Wambua, who was killed during a confrontation between police officers and suspected bandits in Bangale. I also convey my sympathies to the community that lost five people in the recent clashes between two communities in the area," Governor Godhana said.
The governor urged the national government to carry out comprehensive investigations to identify those responsible for instigating the violence.
"Residents have repeatedly complained about individuals who are fueling insecurity. We believe these incidents are politically instigated," he said.
On June 20, hundreds of residents stormed Bangale Police Station and freed a youth leader who had been arrested over allegations of mobilising attacks against members of another community.
According to a police report, officers led by Bangale Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer Michael Lemaiyan arrested the suspect described as a Wardey youth leader. His arrest came after he was linked to efforts to mobilise members of his community against the Degodia community.
Police said they recovered Sh340,000 from his house, which they believe was part of Sh1 million allegedly intended for mobilisation activities.
The suspect was processed at Bangale Police Station and was being escorted to Madogo Police Station when an angry crowd of about 300 people stormed the station, blocked the gate and began pelting officers with stones.
“Two vehicles, a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Madogo Police Station and a Toyota Probox belonging to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Bangale, had their windscreens smashed,” the police report stated.
Reinforcements from the Rapid Deployment Unit based in Katumba later dispersed the crowd. However, the group later attempted to block the Mwingi-Garissa highway but was repulsed.
It was during a multi-agency operation to flush out the militia a few days later that the OCS went missing and was found dead afterwards, according to reports.
The incident came less than two weeks after a separate confrontation between police and armed men in Biyagadud. The officers were responding to an earlier shooting incident on June 7, when they encountered about 40 armed men believed to be from the Wardey community at a watering point.
Police said the group, which had brought goats to the area, opened fire at officers, prompting a gun battle.
Mr Godhana said Tana River had experienced recurring inter-community attacks since last year, adding that addressing the root causes of the violence was critical to preventing further bloodshed.
He accused some politicians of inciting communities against their neighbours for political advantage ahead of the next General Election. He urged leaders to promote peaceful coexistence instead of exploiting ethnic differences.
