One killed, 206 cattle stolen in Turkana raid

A man armed man with an AK 47 riffle along the Kenya -Ethiopia border. [File, Standard]

Tension is high in Natapar border village along the Kenya-Ethiopia border following an attack by suspected tribesmen that left one person dead and another seriously injured.

Area administrator Jacob Enomat said that 206 cattle were stolen from Turkana herders and driven towards Tepes and Soya village on the border of South-Sudan and Ethiopia.
Enomat said an AK 47 riffle belonging to a local reservist who was shot dead was stolen during the raid.

The attack came barely a week after the warring Toposa, Ny'angatom and Turkana who speak the same language brokered truce at Kibish sub county to end animosity.

"It's shocking that some disgruntled elements want to spoil peace efforts after months of stability in the region. The communities have been peacefully co-existing as a results of peace efforts and commitments of governments to restore security at the border," Enomat said.

He said multi-agency security team is working to recover the stolen livestock. Six kraals were affected during the raid.

Kibish county peace coordinator Abdi Achegei revealed that multi agency security team from South Sudan and Ethiopia have been mobilised to recover the stolen animals.

Achegei said a joint cross border meeting with the Ateker community among them Toposa (South Sudan), Ny'angatom and Turkana was convened at Kibish border town to diffuse the rising tension.

"This was unfortunate incident but we are treating it as an isolated case of banditry organised by some peace spoilers. The incident prompted an urgent cross border peace meeting to quell the tension. We are optimistic that the authorities together with the elders will recover the animals," he said.

He said elders from Ny'angatom and security personnel were pursuing the raiders to recover the animals and apprehend the suspects.

Achegei revealed that they are also making efforts to recover some cows previously stolen by Turkana from Ny'angatom tribesmen, which have been traced to Liwan village.

Kibish sub county deputy County Commissioner Tom Otieno said security officers were on high alert to avert retaliatory attack.

"We hope the livestock will be recovered. We have put our security on high alert to forestall any further retaliatory raid. We will give updates once a new development unveils," Otieno said.