Peace team secures part of herd detained in Uganda

Turkana youth entertain guests from Kenya and Uganda during peace accord at Lokiriama border post.[photo: Lucas Ngasike]

Kenya has secured the release of 30 out of the 72 head of cattle detained by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers.

A delegation from West Pokot County visited Bokwo District in eastern Uganda two weeks ago to negotiate for the release of the cattle.

They included Pokot North District Commissioner Abdirsack Japesa, Pokot council of Elders chairman John Mwok and peace negotiators from Sikom Peace and Development Programme.

They persuaded the soldiers to return the cattle, seized after the UPDF suspected they had been stolen from the Ugandan side.

During the negotiations, the soldiers agreed to release 30 head of cattle and retained 42 of them until Kenyan authorities recover three cows and one donkey stolen from pastoralists in Sabiny, Uganda.

According to Sikom chairman Charles Lochero, UPDF soldiers seized the cattle from Pokot herders who migrated to Uganda in search of pasture and water.

During the meeting, the soldiers declined a request from the Kenyan delegation to release the cattle with promises to pursue and recover those stolen from Sabiny herders.

“We are only releasing 30 cows for milking to help Pokot herders get food and the rest will remain detained until you produce cows stolen from the Sabiny,” a UPDF official told the delegation. Yesterday, Sikom coordinator Joseph Akoule told The Standard that through the organisation’s efforts, one cow and one donkey sought by the Ugandans have been recovered and others were being sought.

“We have recovered one cow and one donkey and we are optimistic that the remaining will be recovered,” Akoule told The Standard.

West Pokot County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo lauded efforts by Sikom to restore peace between Turkana and Pokot and communities along the Kenya-Uganda border.

Meanwhile, a committee of 60 elders has been formed to resolve border feuds between Turkana and Pokot communities.

Mr Okwanyo said the Government engaged the elders to come up with sustainable ways to end bloody conflicts. He said each side has picked respected elders to spearhead peace talks and iron out communal feuds in order to attract development in the region.

“We are going to work closely with the elders to come up with appropriate ways of ending communal feuds. The Government is out to ensure development is achieved in the region,” said Okwanyo.

 Ealier, peace forum held at Nasukuta livestock breeding center in Kapenguria brought together elders from West Pokot and Baringo counties and Amudat of Uganda.

The elders agreed to preach peace and advocate for co-existence among neighbouring communities.

 The respected elders led by the Pokot Council of elders chairman Mr John Mwok and former Baringo East MP Joseph Lotodo agreed to resolve communal conflicts between the Pokots and their neighbours.

In the forum organised by Sikom,  the elders regretted conflicts over boundary and resources has caused loss of lives, destruction of property and fueled poverty in the region.