Local leaders and residents of Embu and Kirinyaga counties held a peace meeting in an attempt to foster unity following the recent killing of two brothers.

Joseph Ndung’u, 35, and Kennedy Gitau, 28, were beaten and their bodies lynched at the Embu-Kirinyaga border, sparking outrage.

The two brothers are said to have been responding to a distress call on Sunday, February 5 – when they were attacked by a group of armed men, and killed.

The two are said to have left their homes at around 2am that fateful day, after receiving a call from their cousins who had been attacked by a group of armed men.

The killings, which occurred at the border of Embu and Kirinyaga counties, sparked outrage and condemnation among the neighbouring communities.

Reports now indicate that Mwea Sub-County police commander Mr. Emmanuel Kiplagat has been transferred – and replaced by Mr. Chrispinus Ogutu.

The changes were announced at the Gategi market, at the border of Kirinyaga-Embu counties during a security meeting.

“There have been some changes. Mr. Ogutu is an experienced officer who is expected to ensure security improves in the area,” said the Mwea Sub-County Deputy county commissioner Ms. Jane Manene.

Adding that: “A total of 15 suspects have recorded statements at the Karaba police station. The suspects are being investigated over the deaths of the two brothers.”

She condemned the killing of the two brothers.

“If the two brothers were suspected to have committed any crime – then they should have been handed over to the police – not lynched.”

“There is no way we are going to tolerate such senseless killings,” she said, and apologised to the family of the deceased.

The two brothers hailed from Kiamanyeki village, in Mwea-East sub-county, within Kirinyaga county.

Also at the peace meeting was the Mwea-East Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Mr. Fred Ayieko, and Kirinyaga County Majority leader Mr. Daniel Kibinga, among other local leaders.

On Saturday, angry residents carried the caskets of Joseph and his brother Gitau and walked for over 10 kilometers before abandoning the bodies at the Wanguru police station.

Police would later take the caskets to the Embu Level five hospital mortuary – after dispersing the crowd using teargas.