One killed along West Pokot- Turkana border as leaders call for peace

Turkana South MP James Lomenen. PHOTO BY HENRY KWENYA

One person has been killed and about 500 cattle stolen by suspected bandits along the West Pokot-Turkana border.

The Sunday incident sparked tension in Ompolion village, and passengers travelling from Kitale to Lodwar had to be escorted by police officers on the Lous-Kainuk stretch.

West Pokot and Turkana leaders, led by West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo and Turkana South MP James Lomenen (pictured), visited the area and held a peace meeting at Ombolion.

The leaders also handed over 377 cattle which had been recovered by police and village elders. West Pokot Police Commandant Mathews Kuto said there are a lot of illegal guns in the hands of bandits.

He said the illegal weapons are being used to conduct raids and cause animosity between the Pokot and Turkana communities.

He accused residents of shielding criminals by failing to surrender them to the police.

"Bandits are in both two communities but it is hard for police to arrest them because the communities are not co-operating and instead shielding them as they continue with cattle rustling and killing people," Kuto said. [Irissheel Shanzu]