The convoy of West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, three MPs and the security team from the County was yesterday afternoon attacked by people who are suspected to be police officers attached to Kainuk Administration Police station. The leaders were attacked at Lami Nyeusi area along the Kitale-Lodwar Highway. The convoy had three local MPs Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), Peter Lochakapong (Sigor) and Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba).
The leaders and the security team was heading to Takaywa village where one person was killed and more than 500 heads of cattle stolen by cattle rustlers on Sunday afternoon to cool down the situation.
A police vehicle which is alleged to have attacked the convoy was coming from Kainuk area in Turkana County heading to Kapenguria as the police fired in the air with lightings.
Fire exchange ensued between the KPRS of the Governor and the police who were said to have carried a patient who had been shot taking him to Cherangany nursing home forced a section of the convoy led by West Pokot County commissioner Apollo Okello and journalists to make a U-Turn back two kilometres back while the Governor and County commander of police Mathew Kuto managed to pass the area as bullets were sprayed on vehicles of the convoy.
The two teams later managed to reach Sarimach area then headed for a peace meeting at Takaywa. No one was injured apart from GSU vehicle that destroyed. In the early morning hours, there were shoot out between bandits from Pokot and Turkana communities.
Area Governor John Lonyangapuo condemned the incident faulting the security team from the two Counties for taking sides and lack proper coordination.
He accused youths from the two Counties for spreading hate speech and propaganda on social media. The West Pokot Governor faulted Turkana South MP James Lomenen for being a stumbling block in peace efforts. “The police and some Turkana leaders wanted to block us from holding a meeting,” he said. He called on the security team and leaders from Turkana County to return the stolen animals. Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong accused the security team over laxity. Kacheliba MP Mark Lomunokol said the government has no good will to end the insecurity menace in the area. “We need security beefed up in the area. Turkana County News social site has manufactured rumours and propaganda about the boundary issue,” he said.
Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto called on the government to investigate the police vehicle that attacked them. “We suspect the police are championing for cattle theft in the region,” said Moroto.
West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello said police in the vehicle alleged to have shot the convoy were arrested and recorded a statement at Kapenguria Police station. He said that investigations are ongoing to establish the truth.