Four killed as livestock thieves ambush herdsmen

Four people have been confirmed dead after raiders, suspected to be Pokots, ambushed Turkana herdsmen at Juluk in Turkana South sub-county.
Mr Ereng Eyien, 40, was killed on the spot before more than 50 raiders drove away 200 cattle towards Pokot North sub-county, police said.

“A combined security force consisting of GSU and police reservists immediately responded to the incident, killing three raiders while on a recovery mission,” said area police boss Kipsang Changach.

The raiders had ambushed 16 herders at a River Turkwel crossing.

Mr Changach said security officers recovered 100 cattle after the Saturday raid.

The Pokot North District Intelligent Security Group had joined the patrol and recovery team from Turkana South in efforts to recover the remaining animals and secure the area, he added.

Turkana Women Representative Joyce Emanikor said she had established that the stolen cattle were more than the number given by the police.

“I call upon the national government to deploy more security forces at all hot spots along the Turkana and West Pokot border,” she said.

BITING HUNGER

Raiders from the neighbouring county were taking advantage of the vulnerability of Turkanas who were hard hit by hunger, according to the leader.

“Do we address starvation of our people or raids first?” she asked. The raids were worsening the suffering from drought, she said.

Turkana Senator John Munyes said the county’s herders were exposed to raids as they had to move closer to the border with Ethiopia in search of pasture and water for their animals.

Most grazing zones and water sources have been depleted by the drought that began in July last year.

Kibish sub-county commissioner Erick Wanyonyi confirmed that the herders had moved to the Kenya- Ethiopia border.