145 goats recovered by elders and leaders in Sigor

One hundred and forty-five goats were recovered by elders and leaders in Sigor, after more than 1000 were stolen. This comes after youths from Pokot Central Sub County stole the goats from Kainuk in Turkana, with residents suggesting the number of goats recovered is higher than what police say.

This comes as leaders from both communities hold peace caravan in volatile areas along the borders of the two counties to preach peace.

Elders and the security team traced the goats with the help of area youths and found them at Masol area in Sigor constituency where they had been taken.

The incident comes after a man and child were killed at Ekoloji Village, Turkana where more than 1600 goats were stolen on Sunday heightening tension along Pokot-Turkana border.

Leaders including West Pokot senator John Lonyangapuo and MPs Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba) James Lomenen (Turkan South) and Sigor-Philip Rotino have been on two days peace mission flew from Turkwel, Apuke, Nakamat, Akiriamet to Akulo to contain the situation, urging residents to maintain peace.

The leaders said that they were embracing the peace accord of 2015 by leaders from the two counties.

“We are now enjoying peace and few individuals will not make residents lose their peace,” said Lonyangapuo. The leaders called on area residents to help in identifying criminals. The leaders said that they will not accept any cattle rustling and banditry in the area urging residents to go back to their grazing places.

They vowed that they will ensure criminals who participated in the act are known and will be arrested. Kacheliba Member of Parliament Mark Lomunokol called on the government to conduct disarmament in the area and mop up illegal guns.

“We shall not enjoy peace if the government will not implement what we agreed,” he said.

The leaders called on the security team to be alert and ensure that security is maintained.

“They should work 24 hours. We shall deal with the culprits,” said Lomunokol.

“For one and half years, residents have been staying peacefully and we don’t want few individuals to disrupt peace. We have said no to banditry and all leaders should come out to stop the menace. We as leaders we are united but locals have started destabilizing the existing peace,” said Turkana South MP James Lomenen.

The leaders cautioned other leaders over inciting locals from both communities in order for them to get votes.

“Someone’s life is more important than votes. You cannot do politics using residents’ lives. There is no politics in peace building,” noted Lomenen. West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello cited that the security team, peace committees and elders will make sure that all the 1660 stolen goats are recovered.

“We have given them an ultimatum till tomorrow and we want all the stolen goats to be returned. Police officers, chiefs and KPR are on the ground. Tension was high but things are okay after we released four vehicles to patrol,” said Okello.