Samburu peace meeting ends disarray as suspected cattle raider lynched

Samburu East MP Raphael Letimalo (left) speaks to security officers during a peace meeting in Archers’ Post, Samburu County on Saturday August 22, 2015. There was tension after the meeting following the lynching of a man suspected to be a cattle rustler. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • His colleague escaped from the rowdy mob that was armed with stones and pangas.
  • Hundreds of travellers were stranded in Isiolo and at Archers’ Post as tension remained high Saturday night.
  • The Samburu DCC called for peace saying security had been beefed in the area.
  • Mr Letimalo called for the arrest of the cattle rustlers and recovery of the stolen gun and animals.

A peace meeting in Archers’ Post, Samburu County on Saturday ended in disarray after a man suspected to be a cattle raider was lynched by a mob.

The man was lynched about 200 metres from the venue of the meeting on allegations that he was wearing clothes of a Samburu moran who was killed two weeks ago by cattle rustlers suspected to be from the Turkana community.

His colleague escaped from the rowdy mob that was armed with stones and pangas.

Samburu East MP Raphael Letimalo, Deputy County Commissioner Wilson Murungi, security officers and elders had met members of the Samburu community to preach peace.

A fortnight ago, two people, including a Kalama Community Conservancy ranger, were killed and 108 cattle, 162 goats, and the ranger’s rifle stolen.

Following the latest lynching of the suspect, members of Turkana community barricaded the Isiolo-Marsabit road from Saturday evening until Sunday morning.

TRAVELLERS STRANDED

Hundreds of travellers were stranded in Isiolo and at Archers’ Post as tension remained high Saturday night.

Normalcy was restored Sunday morning after a contingent of police officers was deployed to clear the road.

During the peace meeting, the leaders urged members of Samburu community to desist from retaliating.

The Samburu East MP called for the arrest of the cattle rustlers and recovery of the stolen gun and animals.

About 30 head of cattle have already been recovered.

“We are calling on the police to ensure the culprits are brought to book. I urge all communities to exercise restraint and let the law take its course.

"We however want all the stolen animals to be returned to their owners,” the MP said.

The Samburu DCC called for peace saying security had been beefed in the area.

“Security officers are on the ground to ensure the stolen animals are recovered. We ask for more time to recover the cattle,” Mr Murungi said.

The body of the lynched man was removed to the Isiolo Level Five Hospital.