Tension high after raiders steal 400 cattle

Tension is high at Noosukro in Mukutani division, Baringo South sub-county, after raiders struck on Sunday and drove away more than 400 cattle.

Efforts by General Service Unit officers to repulse the suspected Pokot raiders, who were armed with AK47 rifles, proved futile as they were overpowered following a fierce exchange of fire at Karaua. The animals were driven towards Tangulbei in the neighbouring Tiaty sub-county.

The raid in the cattle rustling-prone area has resulted in some residents fleeing as they fear their livestock could be stolen.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku, who toured the area to assess the situation in the company of members of the Baringo County security team and local leaders, attended a meeting on the raids at Chepkalacha.

During the meeting, reports indicated that the stolen animals were headed to Naudo in the heart of Tiaty sub-county.

Residents of Baringo South sub-county called on the government to beef up security in the area.

“We had alerted the government that armed bandits would take advantage of the festive season but nothing was done. For how long will our people suffer for the government to act?” asked Mr Amos Olempaka from Mukutani division.

The incident comes barely a week after President Kenyatta toured Baringo County and called on pastoral communities to discard retrogressive cultural practices such as cattle rustling and focus on child education.

“There is nothing traditional about theft. Theft is theft. We all like our culture but we should discard archaic practices like raiding your neighbours for livestock in this digital era,” said the President who presided over the reopening of the famous Kimalel Goat Auction.

During the auction, which saw more than Sh9.8 million being raised, Mr Kenyatta bought 20 goats for Tiaty MP Asman Kamama.