You’ll lose your jobs if you don’t stop cattle theft, chiefs in Meru and Isiolo told

Chiefs from parts of Meru and Isiolo counties hit by cattle rustling risk losing their jobs for abetting the vice.

Speaking during an inter-county peace meeting comprising herders, elders, security chiefs and peace groups at Gambela, Isiolo County Commissioner Wanyama Musiambo and his Meru counterpart Wilfred Nyagwanga vowed to bring perpetrators to book.

This follows rising incidents of cattle rustling that have left seven people dead and hundreds of cattle stolen in the last two weeks.

Some of the chiefs were put to task to explain why the crimes have continued unabated.

The Tuesday meeting brought together herders and elders from Meru, Borana, Somali and Turkana communities that have been engaged in counter attacks and raids since late March.

The chiefs found themselves in a public dock after herders accused some of them of colluding with raiders to frustrate tracking of lost animals.

“A Somali herder was robbed of 110 goats and killed in Gambela before five people were killed and 116 goats stolen in retaliatory attacks in Meru.

“The culprits have not been brought to book and the goats are yet to be recovered. We want the chiefs to tell us who did this and where the stolen goats are,” said Mr Musiambo.

CHIEFS ROUNDED UP

Chiefs from affected areas were immediately rounded up by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) present at the meeting for questioning.

Mr Musiambo noted that the areas along Meru-Isiolo boardary have heavy presence of police, chiefs and their assistants.

“We are here to address the cattle rustling, killings and lack of harmony that have disturbed this region.

“This area has heavy police presence and the highest number of chiefs in this country. We should not be witnessing these crimes,” Mr Musiambo said.

He said the chiefs and police officers in the area should improve coordination for quick response to incidents of cattle theft.

Mr Musiambo gave the chiefs and herders a two-week ultimatum to name the perpetrators and recover stolen animals.

“We are giving two weeks to chiefs to meet their residents and produce the stolen animals and the suspects.

“Any government official found guilty will be interdicted immediately,” he remarked.

ILLEGAL FIREARMS AMONG PASTORALISTS

Mr Musiambo also blamed proliferation of illegal firearms among pastoralists for the raids and killings.

“When we call a peace meeting, herders come with sticks. But we are aware that herders are in possession of AK-47 and M16 rifles that are being used in raids.

“We will soon crack down on all perpetrators of the crime. We will surely bring to book those who killed the seven people,” he said.

He said livestock owners whose herders participate in criminal activities will also be apprehended.

Mr Nyagwanga said there was need for the public to work closely with security officers by giving information on criminals.

“We have done several peace meetings to resolve conflicts among herders but people keep fighting.

“We need the herders to volunteer information to police to enable arrest of the criminals.

“We have seen herder committees are paying off because we have recovered 120 cattle,” Mr Nyagwanga said.

The herders called on the government to conduct an operation to recover stolen animals in Meru, Isiolo and Samburu counties.

“Security officers have been slow in responding to incidents of cattle rustling.

“We are now calling on the government to conduct a major operation in this region to recover all stolen livestock.

“All livestock markets should also be monitored to prevent sale of stolen animals,” said Mr Stephen Thinkii, a livestock owner.

The Boma Declaration developed by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and elected leaders from areas affected by cattle rustling in January requires a community where stolen cattle are found to be held accountable.