Killing of cow sparks elders’ wrath, promise to spell a curse

Members of the Abagusii Council of Elders are planning a special meeting to deliberate what to do with suspected cattle rustlers, who killed a cow and poured the blood at the door step of the house of a community policing chairman along the Nyamira-Bomet border.

The owner of the cow Mathias Orango, a retired military officer and a member of the elders’ council, said the cow worth over Sh90,000 was about to calve.

He said the suspects stormed his compound at around 11pm on Sunday night, seized the animal and killed it.

“I got out of the house at around midnight to check on the cows only to notice the discomfort inside the cowshed. I was awake until that time and I don’t understand how they managed to do this without me hearing,” said Mr Orango.

The former military man has been crucial in the fight against cattle rustling along the Kisii-Sotik border. Late last year, he received a Presidential award ‘Shujaa’ for his efforts to curb cattle rustling in the region.

“There seems to be a sinister motive behind this incident. Cattle rustlers take away livestock. This has never happened in our community. I’m seeking the elders’ council opinion and hope to reach an agreement on what to do,” he added.

He continued, “Their intention was to kill me because of what I do in the community. I will not relent on this war. It is a primitive culture and I promise to soldier on and end this menace. They won’t destruct me from this course.”

The council’s Chairman, Araka Matundura, said they will have to hold consultations before coming up with the way forward.

“The incident took place along the border hence we cannot categorically say who did it. Orango has been supportive in our effort to fight cattle rustling and definitely some people are not happy about it,” said Mr Matundura.

Residents of Endemu village in Borabu, Nyamira County, view the carcass of an eight-month expectant cow killed by unknown people on Sunday night. The assailants then took the blood and smeared it on the door of its owner, a taboo among the Kisii. Elders said such a thing happened in the community 52 years ago. [PHOTO: DENISH OCHIENG/STANDARD]

A member of the council, Obino Nyambane, said those who were involved in the act should first apologise before the council takes any action.

He said there is always a repercussion on the perpetrators.

“The owner of the cow will cleanse himself against any wrong doing for the action the council will decide on. Ideally, this is not a curse but a way to punish those who engage in erroneous acts in the community,” he said.

Leaders from the Kipsigis and Kisii communities have continued to hold a series of joint security meetings to address the cattle rustling menace along the border.

Cattle rustling has in the past strained relations between the two communities.

Information gathered by The Standard indicated that the cattle raids are financed by a network of businessmen who sell the animals to abattoirs in Nairobi.

Sources revealed that some of these traders could be after Orango’s life for his role in the recovery of over 100 cows.