Raiders kill peace builder, steal goats

By OSINDE OBARE

Suspected cattle rustlers have shot dead a Pokot elder, who was instrumental in bringing peace in Ombolion on the Turkana-West Pokot border.

The raiders shot and killed Mzee Lotubokin Achurule on Tuesday evening in Kasei village, Pokot North District.

Achurule, 75, a key peace actor was shot near his home in Kases village while returning from a nearby grazing field.

The attackers made away with over 100 goats. They escaped towards Kaptir area in Turkana South Constituency.  Kacheliba MP Mark Lumunakol condemned the killing. He described the deceased as a key peace actor among pastoralist communities in Kenya and Uganda.

“It is a big loss to our people. He has been instrumental in the on-going peace process between Pokots, Turkana and Ugandan communities,” mourned Lumunakol.

Peace building actors condemned the killing, terming his death as a big blow to unity initiatives.

Mr Joseph Aklaule said Achurule played critical role in restoration of peace. “He committed his life to peace. He intervened and eased tension through dialogue. We are saddened by his death,” said Akluale.