Tension is building up along the West Pokot and Turkana Counties border after one person was killed at Takaiywa village by suspected bandits from the neighbouring Turkana County in the Wednesday evening attack.
The young man Lonyakomol Lokuri in a company of two others was looking after cattle after the bandits ambushed them, killing him on the spot as the two escaped with minor injuries.
More than 100 goats belonging to Ombolion Chief Joseph Korkimul are also missing.
Speaking to the Nation this morning, Pokot North Sub County Deputy County Commissioner James Ajuang confirmed the incidents saying the motive of the attack is not known.
“The bandits killed the young man and dashed in the thickest without going with the livestock,” said Ajuang.
Ajuang noted that police officers have been deployed in the area to reduce tension.
“We shall not entertain anyone engaging in insecurity issues,” he said.
He warned bandits terrorising people in the region that their days are numbered.
“This festive season should be peaceful,” he said.
Ombolion Chief Joseph Korkimul said they pursued the bandits who had escaped towards Nakwomoru in Turkana County and coming back he found his more than 100 goats missing.
“We are still following up the goats which I believe another group of bandits stole,” he said.
Korkimul asked the government to set up two Anti Stock theft or General Service unit camps at Takaiywa and Ombolion to help curb the increasing cases of insecurity.
“The motive behind these attacks is not known and am asking the government to deploy more police officers in the area to help beef up security,” he said.
Fresh attacks coupled with banditry and cattle rustling activities have resurfaced in villages along the West Pokot and Turkana border after five years of peaceful coexistence.
For the last two months, hundreds of livestock have been stolen from Ombolion, Sarimach, Cheprochpohog, Turkwel, Takaywa, Kases, Masol and Lami Nyeusi areas along the West Pokot and Turkana counties border by suspected bandits from the neighboring county.
Two weeks ago a boy Eliya Lwalenyang abducted by bandits from Songok Village and later released after six hours.
This is after 5 people were killed at Lami Nyeusi.
Leaders from the county have also condemned the attacks and asked the government to investigate the root cause of the frequent attacks.
They said that people; area being killed as the government does nothing to protect them.
“Interior Cabinet Secretary should visit West Pokot and listen to our woes. He has gone to Turkana County twice and slept there. He has gone to Baringo and went to Tugen but not Pokot side, went to Elgeyo Marakwet and Samburu and Laikipia many times but he has refused to come to West Pokot. We respect the Government and that is why we want to speak to you,” said Murgor, a reverend.
He alleges that the CS has discriminated against the Pokot community, yet their people are being killed.
“Kindiki, if you don’t want to come to West Pokot County, call us in Nairobi so that we can talk. Our neighbours are being armed and our people killed,” he said.
Murgor called on the two communities to embrace peace.
“We are permanent neighbours and should learn to stay together. No one will benefit from banditry and cattle rustling. This area needs development projects like irrigation schools and churches and the Government should pay pastors to preach peace in the region. All illegal guns are from South Sudan and Ethiopia,” he said.
He said that the security operation done by the Government has never succeeded.
“Former President the late Mwai Kibaki used dialogue and there was peace. Our people were left behind in development,” said the reverend.
He asked the Government to balance when deploying National police reservists (NPR)in the region.
“There is biasness. The Government should be wary of security officers working in the region. They give wrong information and reports. They have corrupted intelligence. No one has been arrested over the killings,” he said.
Murgor said that both communities are bad and aggressors.
“No one is a devil than the other between Pokots and Turkanas. All are the same because they have fought for centuries. It is painful to lose a learner here. It is hard for young boys to go to school. The two communities need to sit down and end conflicts. We don’t want any guns in Pokot and Turkana,” he said.
He called on the Ministry of Interior and Rift Valley Regional commissioner Abdi Hassan to move with speed and contain the situation.
He called on West Pokot leaders with their Turkana counterparts to come together and start peace caravans in the region.
“We don’t want anyone to politicise security issues or incite locals. We need proper security surveillance.” he said.
More than 60 people have been killed, people displaced, and hundreds of livestock stolen in Kerio Valley region since the year began.
Join our community and solve the Puzzling fun with our range of crosswords
We are building some fun puzzles to put your problem-solving skills to the test and we want you to have a blast while you're at it!
Share your email and we’ll serve up new puzzles with your morning coffee.
Do you want to help shape the features we prioritize? Take a Survey to help us understand what matters to you most
Begin SurveyAM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
This is Daily Politics. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.
