Survivors of cattle raids tell of anguish

Perennial cattle rustling in conflict-prone areas in the North Rift has left survivors with life-long mental and physical scars.

Some survivors have been maimed and now depend on relatives for support.

For decades, cattle rustling has remained a challenge among the pastoral communities even as the Government steps up measures to contain it.

It is rampant along the border of Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo where several lives have been lost, property destroyed and hundreds forced to relocate to safer places.

Ruthless rustlers

David Mutai, 30, from Chesogon on the border of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties still feels the pain of gunshot wounds he suffered at the hands of ruthless rustlers.

Mutai narrates that on the fateful day while grazing his livestock, unknown assailants ambushed him and sprayed him with bullets.

As he ducked for safety, the arsenal from the bandits unfortunately landed on his right hand. And thinking he was dead, the raiders drove away the livestock.

“They drove away all my cows. Fortunately, I was rescued by villagers who took me to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret where I was hospitalised for three months. I survived the heavy injury that has left my hand twisted,” he says.

His story is one among dozens of victims who have been left nursing bullet wounds after bandits raid villages along the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.

Another victim Namuke Lopetangole confesses he was a raider, but after surviving a deadly raid in the neighbouring Turkana County that almost claimed his life, he abandoned the practice.

“It has been a challenge since I cannot walk long distances. I always advise my colleagues to look at my twisted leg and learn from me. I spent four months in hospital nursing gunshot wounds and could not even stand after I was discharged,” he says.

He adds life has been difficult because he can no longer provide for his family.

Namuke says his knee joint was broken by bullets and doctors had to fix it with metal plates and screws to enable him walk.

Peace meetings

“I have to keep my leg straight while walking. This is due to the extent of injury,” he says.

He says he has accepted the reality. He adds that the energy he used to have when going for raids was drained by the injuries.

And Longiro Todongoria, another victim, says administrators and other leaders use him as a case study during peace meetings on the effects of cattle rustling.

“I was herding my goats before bandits ambushed me and sprayed me with bullets. I wasn’t born lame, but now I have to support myself while walking,” he says.

The spate of killings in the region over the past two weeks have reawakened memories of survivors' wounds and pains.

West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello said the Government will carry out an operation in Embobut, Lelan and Kamulegon forest along the West Pokot-Elgeyo Marakwet border to flush out bandits in the region.

Cases of cattle rustling have re-emerged along Pokot and Marakwet common border over the past one month, displacing over 500 families and prompting closure of some schools in the region.

Leaders have blamed the Government for the insecurity after the National Police Reservists (NPRs) were disarmed.

Mr Okello said the Government wants to vet all NPRs working in the region to ensure those retained carry out their functions in a professional manner.

But Governor John Lonyangapuo maintains that NPRs have been playing a major role in protecting the community, and that the Government should not disarm them.