Over 2,000 residents of Kaputir ward in Turkana South affected by banditry attacks are set to benefit from a restocking programme.
Turkana County Executive for Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries Philip Aemun presided over the distribution of the second phase of goats and sheep restocking programme targeting victims of banditry attacks in Kaputir ward.
Aemun said the programme was designed by the Livestock Production directorate to be undertaken in three phases targeting 2,000 beneficiaries from different villages in Kaputir.
“Phase one was done in May this year, where 500 goats and sheep were distributed to targeted beneficiaries in Nakwamoru and Lomerimudang,” he said.
“The second phase was undertaken yesterday benefiting 120 households in Kaputir centre, Kapelbok and Nawoyaregae villages.”
Aemun said the exercise's objective is to support agro-pastoralist households who were adversely affected by conflict along the Turkana south-West Pokot border.
He said the third phase is projected to be done by end of next month and will cover Lorogon, Juluk, Lodwar/Nakuse and Kaputir junction villages.
“The government is committed to rebuild resilience of affected households through funding socio-economic drivers on their sources of livelihoods that are spread across crop and livestock farming,” he said.
On rising of livestock diseases, Aemun said a team of veterinary officers would be sent to the riverine area for vaccination as well as do research to establish causes of the emerging diseases that farmers had complained of in the recent weeks.
Area MCA Shadrack Lodong’a called for patience from those in the list of beneficiaries who were yet received their share even as he challenged the contractor to fast-track delivery of the remaining goats and sheep.
For years, Turkana, West Pokot and Baringo counties have experienced conflicts as communities clash over cattle rusting, natural resources and border territory.
The banditry attacks have claimed the lives of soldiers, police and civilians.
The latest deadly bandit attacks in February this year claimed the lives of a deputy inspector general of the GSU and other law enforcers.
The attack occurred at Ameyen, seven kilometres from Kapedo along the Chemolingot road.
Insecurity was rife in the North Rift with residents unable to even access the food to the market, children could not go to school and gunshot sounds was the order of the day.
However, the areas have recently been experiencing relative calm with residents now able to move around without needing police protection or escort.
-Edited by SKanyara
