West Pokot and Turkana County leaders resolved to end the new wave of cattle theft and killings that has claimed lives in the last two months. This comes after six people were killed along the border of the two Counties last week in a retaliatory attack .
The latest killings include two senior County officials from Turkana who were shot dead in a retaliatory attack while on their way to Nakwamoru from Kapelbok along the border of the two counties.
The leaders sought to contain the situation on renewed attacks, discussing and deliberating on better ways of solving the perennial insecurity menace pitying the communities living in the region.
The West Pokot and Turkana leaders want the police from both Counties to ensure perpetrators of war and cattle theft are killed or arrested to serve as warning.
Turkana leaders included MPs James Lomenen (Turkana South), John Lodepe (Turkana Central) and Mohammed Ali Lokiru (Turkana East), Disaster Management Executive Charles Lokioto who represented Governor Josphat Nanok and Turkana Central Deputy County Commissioner Alexander Mativo who represented County Commissioner Seif Matata.
The leaders who met at Kainuk Mixed Secondary School want residents to stop retaliatory attacks and focus on development that has cemented both communities for the past two years.
A total of 52 goats which were stolen from Kainuk by suspected thieves from Sarimach in West Pokot were recovered and 39 among the 105 stolen from Kaakong were returned to the owners.
This is after twenty goats that were stolen from Kamunono in West Pokot by suspected thiefs from Turkana were returned to the owner.
The area has been witnessing relative peace for the last three years. Pokot leaders promised to return the remaining 66 goats stolen from Kaakong while Turkana elders promised to return 5 cows stolen from Masol in West Pokot County.
The leaders came up with resolutions to continue with peace meetings, dialogue and peace caravans in hot spot areas along the border of the two counties. They agreed that there will be no more killings, banditry and cattle theft.
They resolved that three Governors will lead them in the target to end conflict along the Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot Counties, and further agreed to deal with culprits wreaking havoc in the area.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo called upon the national government to increase security officers in the region, as well as equipping the police reservists in the critical areas.
West Pokot County commissioner Apollo Okello said that the criminals who participated in the act are known and will be arrested. “The community does not steal but individuals and we shouldn’t have blanket condemnation,” said Okello.
Turkana Central Deputy County commissioner Mr. Alexander Mativo urged residents not to hide criminals causing insecurity in the area and urged them to report bad incidents and return any stolen animals in the area.