- Natembeya who is in Turkana on a five-day visit to inspect state projects confirmed that calm has returned in Kapedo.
- For years, Kapedo has experienced conflicts among Turkana and Pokot communities, who clash over cattle rusting, natural resources and territories.
Rift valley regional commissioner George Natembeya has warned Rift valley leaders not to disrupt peace in Kapedo, Turkana East.
Natembeya confirmed that calm has returned in Kapedo.
The commissioner spoke on Thursday during his five-day visit at Turukana.
He’s also expected to meet with leaders from South Sudan in Lokichogio, Turkana West for peace talks along the border.
Kapedo which is at the border of Turkana and Baringo counties was faced with insecurity. At lest 10 people were killed in the attacks within one month.
For years, Kapedo has experienced conflicts between the Turkana and Pokot communities who clash over cattle rusting, natural resources and border territory.
Natembeya has urged political leaders in Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot counties not to incite residents as politics hots up in the country.
“One security officer was killed and several injured in the last attack. However, calm has returned and people are living peacefully.
“We are continuing to hold peace meetings with Turkana and Pokot communities through the National Cohesion and Integration Commission,” he said.
He said they flashed out suspected bandits in Kapedo, but they managed to get into Laikipia Nature Conservancy.
The bandits are also being flashed out from Laikipia Nature Conservancy and they are slowly returning to Kapedo.
“We have deployed security officers in order to stop further conflicts between the two communities. Anyone found inciting and fuelling conflicts will be arrested and arraigned,” he said.
On June 10, bandits believed to have come from Tiaty, Baringo county, raided Lopii in Turkana East. They shot and injured a police officer, damaged four police vehicles and stole several animals.
Lopii chief Benjamin Ebenyo said donkeys, goats, cows and camels were stolen from 50 households during the attack.
More than 6,000 residents, including school children of Lopii Primary School, fled to Nakukulas, he said.
In January, a senior police officer was fatally shot by bandits in Kapedo, three other officers were wounded in the attack.
The government imposed a 30-day curfew in parts of Baringo and Turkana counties to restore order. Authorities managed to recovered 43 firearms.
Early September, leaders from Ethiopia returned over 150 livestock believed to have been stolen from Turkana.
Kibish deputy county commissioner Richard Ajwang said they met with Ethiopian leaders to push for peace and stop further conflicts between the border communities.
Herders from these areas have been clashing over grazing lands in Kibish.
Last year, suspected Ethiopian rustlers killed four Turkana herders in Nang’usil Ngatuny in Kibish.
Turkana police commander Samuel Ndanyi said the suspected cattle rustlers also injured one National Police Reservist and left with 350 livestock belonging to six kraals.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)