5,000 flee cattle rustling menace

By James Munyeki

Area chief says attackers believed to be from East Pokot carried out three raids last month alone

Perennial cattle rustling between two communities living in Baringo County has led to the displacement of about 5,000 people in the last three weeks.

The attacks have also led to the death of 13 people while about 10,000 goats and 5,000 head of cattle have been stolen within Muchongoi Division and its environs.

According to Arabel location Chief William Koech, most of the residents were forced to leave their homes for safer areas after heavily armed attackers believed to be from East Pokot carried out three raids last month.

The chief said the attacks in late December and several others this month were the most serious as 13 people were reportedly killed in what he termed as a revenge attempt within Arabel and Chebynin locations. He said as a result of the recent incident, 1,415 goats and 85 head of cattle were stolen and one person identified as Reuben Kiprop was shot dead at Kasiela.

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The administrator said the residents were now walking for over 30km to safer areas among them Kabel, Muchongoi, Marigat and Kabarnet within the county.

He noted that the attackers majored on stealing livestock and revenge for killed morans.

At the moment, 400 families have sought refuge at Muchongoi Catholic Church while another 300 families are camping at Arabel chief’s camp.

Koech said the situation is now tense, as the victims fear more attacks according to government’s intelligent information.

The chief said the victims risked contracting air and water borne diseases due to the deplorable conditions the families were living in.

Return home

Meanwhile, retired Nyahururu Catholic Bishop Luigi Paiaro said most of the families from Kasiela village pitching camp at the Muchongoi Catholic Church were willing to return to their homes.

But authorities have urged them to remain patient, adding that there was need for dialogue between elders from the involved communities to ensure that peace is restored.

About nine schools have also been closed down as a result.

The clergy said the communities should be encouraged to change their attitudes and shun beliefs that have caused the area to lag behind.