Tension high in Turkana-Pokot boarder after man is killed by suspected Pokot bandits

Turkana, Kenya: Tension is high in Lorogon village along the Turkana – Pokot border following the killing of a middle age man by suspected Pokot bandits.

The incident occurred Monday morning near the controversial Turkwel power plant along Lorogon village which is inhabited by the Turkana community.

Turkana South Ward administrator David Erukudi confirmed the incident. Erukudi said the deceased was shot dead when he went to answer a call of nature in a nearby bush.

“It’s unfortunate that this young man was shot dead at a close range when he went to answer a call of nature in the bush. We suspect the act was executed by our neighbouring Pokot bandits”,Erukudi said.

Mr.Erukudi said the incident has brewed fresh animosity among the Turkanas and Pokot communities.

A week ago two reservists were killed in the area by unknown bandits.

The administrator said several people have lost their lives to suspected Pokot bandits in their attempt to overtake Lorogon village.

He said last year, the suspected bandits put the village under siege for one week cutting off food and other supplies from reaching the village.

The administrator said there have been several attempts by suspected Pokot bandits to overrun Lorogon village but their efforts have been thwarted by security personnel deployed there.

He said there has been a boundary dispute pitting the two communities with members of the Pokot community claiming ownership of Lorogon and Turwel gorge power plant.

“We have lost several people in this border disputes pitting these two communities. We need amicable solution on boundary issues between this two communities”, the administrator said.

The two communities have threatened to seek a legal redress on the border disputes.