Cattle recovered as leaders seek peace

Samburu, Kenya: Police have recovered over 400 heads of cattle stolen during a conflict in Koom area, bordering Isiolo and Samburu counties where four people were killed.

Herders from Borana Isiolo and Samburu clashed recently as they scrambled for pasture and water for their livestock following persistent drought.

Samburu County Police Commandant Patrick Wambane said 417 heads of cattle and seven donkeys have been recovered.

Wambane said police are still pursuing other livestock stolen during the bloody clash.

Local herders claimed over 2,000 livestock were stolen, however, Kenya Red Cross Society gives a contradicting figure of 300.

„The livestock were recovered in the wilderness and the owners are not yet known. I urge residents who lost their livestock to turn up and identify them,“ he said.

Samburu County leaders visited the area and urged local herders to embrace peace and share the available resources since ‚the persistent drought is a natural calamity‘.

However, the leaders blamed their Isiolo counterparts for failing to urge their residents to embrace peaceful coexistence. Samburu East MP Raphael Lentimalo said the police should ensure all stolen livestock are recovered and handed back to the owners as they seek peace.