Bandits injure herder, steal over 100 goats

 

By ROBERT KIPLAGAT

Rustlers shot and injured a herder before stealing over 100 goats in Kapedo area.

The injured man believed to be from Pokot community is said to have been herding the animals when ten cattle rustlers armed with AK47 rifles ambushed him.

Witnesses said the man was seriously injured after he was shot on the stomach and chest.

The rustlers then made away with the goats after scaring villagers. They fled towards Nadome area in the neighbouring Turkana East District.

The herder was rushed to Kabarnet District Hospital in critical condition where he is receiving treatment.

Pokot leaders led by Silale ward councillor Peter Lokormoi condemned the incident, saying it would undermine peace between the two communities.

Source of conflict

“This incident is unfortunate as both Turkana and Pokot have enjoyed peace for several months. There is urgent need to curb cattle rustling incidences that have remained a major source of conflict,” Lokormoi said. He added elders and leaders from both communities would meet to stem rise in insecurity.

The incident has renewed border conflict between Turkana and Pokot communities that had ceased for almost four months.

Early this year, two people were shot dead and three others injured in Kapedo on the border of East Pokot and Turkana East in a retaliatory attack. Armed suspected Turkana raiders accosted the five, who were Pokots. The attack was alleged to be in retaliation to the killing of Nadome location senior chief Noding Reng’ei by suspected Pokot raiders.