Tension high as herders gunned down in Arabal

One of the two houses torched at Chesiran Village in Loruk, Baringo North, on December 15, 2014. Rampant cattle rustling has turned the lives of residents of Baringo North and South into a cycle of hunger, distress and disruption of socio-economic life. PHOTO | CHEBOITE KIGEN |

By  Barnabas Bii

What you need to know:

  • The Tuesday evening killings came a fortnight after a retired soldier and his son were killed in retaliatory attacks involving the Pokots and Tugens.
  • Armed Pokots, he said, attacked Arabal on Tuesday evening and stole the animals, leading to fierce battle with the police on patrol.
  • Two weeks ago, Mr Peter Kokon, a retired senior sergeant, and his son, were killed in an ambush in Mochongoi.

Tension is high in Arabal, Baringo County, after two herdsmen were shot dead and an unknown number of animals stolen.

The Tuesday evening killings came a fortnight after a retired soldier and his son were killed in retaliatory attacks involving the Pokots and Tugens.

The attack has heightened hostilities between the two communities. There are fears that armed conflicts might erupt during the Christmas and New Year festivities in the North Rift.

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“The herdsmen wanted to recover their stolen animals when two of them were shot dead by suspected Pokot raiders,” Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo told the Nation Wednesday.
SOLDIER MURDERED
Armed Pokots, he said, attacked Arabal on Tuesday evening and stole the animals, leading to fierce battle with the police on patrol.

“The animals were recovered after the attackers were overpowered by the police and the herdsmen,” he said.

Hundreds of families have fled the area fearing attacks that have claimed more than 30 lives in recent months. Two weeks ago, Mr Peter Kokon, a retired senior sergeant, and his son, were killed in an ambush in Mochongoi.

TENSION HIGH

Their vehicle was set ablaze, heightening tension in the insecure area.

“General Service Unit staff, Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Regular and Administration police officers have been positioned in hotspots to avert any attacks,” Mr Okwanyo said.

Areas often targeted by the raiders include Lomelo, Kapedo, Amuke and Napeiton in Turkana East and parts of Marigat and Arabal in Baringo County.

Pastoral communities in the North Rift have, for many years, been involved in armed conflict over cattle, pasture and water.

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