Community fined goats for man’s killling

By Edwin Cheserek

The Pokot community has been fined more than 170 goats after a suspect from the area was accused of killing a Marakwet.

This was after area district peace committees from both sides found the community guilty of killing Chelimo Lomunei and interring his body.The deceased, a mango trader, went missing two months ago before his remains were found in a grave in Pokot Central.

After a series of meetings held in the area, the peace committees agreed that the Pokot pay 172 goats as compensation.

Investigations were launched and four suspects from the community were arrested in connection with the murder two weeks later.

The main suspect was fined 112 goats while three other accomplices were fined 20 goats each during a decision arrived at by elders from both communities.

Marakwet council of elders chief Samuel Tandaria said they had demanded more than100 cows from the Pokot but the community said the number were high.

“We wanted them to give us what we demanded but they said the demand was high and pleaded for an alternative fine,” he said.

The meeting was convened at Chesegon trading centre along the border of the two Districts at the weekend.

Suspect cleansed

Present were the Pokot Central DC Salim Bagana and Marakwet East DC, Joseph Kisangau and area MP Linah Kilimo.

Mr Tandaria said after several consultations with elders from both sides they agreed that the Pokot compensate the victim’s family with goats.

He disclosed that the fine was to be made immediately and the suspect cleansed so that he could be accepted in the society.

Last year, the Marakwet were fined 120 goats after a suspect from the community was found to have murdered a man from the other side.

He said they were installing punitive measures for similar offences.

The elder said one of the suspects was still at large and that the peace committees were following crucial leads that may lead to his arrest.

Mrs Kilimo, who is area legislator, commended the peaceful means of settling differences between the communities rather than revenge missions.

Tecla Lorupe Peace Foundation Manager, Mr Michel Kuskus warned individuals against committing such crime because the community would bear the brunt.

“This is just the decision of elders but you should know that law is not lenient to those who will commit any crime,” he said.