Bandits attack herders in Kapedo, steal over 200 goats
Surrendered firearms are displayed during a leaders' peace meeting in Kapedo on the Baringo-Turkana border on November 14, 2020. Hours later armed bandits attacked herders in Kapedo and stole over 200 goats.
Daring armed criminals suspected to be from Tiaty Sub-County Sunday morning staged a banditry attack in the volatile Kapedo and made away with more than 200 goats.
The attack was confirmed by Turkana East Sub-County Police Commander Edwin Ogwari.
It came barely a day after more than 50 political leaders and a security team from the North Rift region held a peace meeting in the insecurity-prone area in a bid to preach peaceful co-existence among the warring neighbouring communities.
The Sunday 11am attack was staged by an unknown number of armed gunmen who descended on herders from the Turkana community who were grazing their livestock some few meters from Silale hills. The attackers fired twice before driving away the livestock.
According to Mr Ogwari, no one was injured during the morning attack but the stolen livestock were driven away by the criminals towards Silale in Tiaty East.
“The attack happened in the morning when some herders from Kapedo were herding their livestock near Silale hill. The armed gunmen fired twice in the air to scare the herdsmen and drove off the more than 200 goats towards Silale in Tiaty East,” said Mr Ogwari.
In pursuit of attackers
He told the Nation that security officers based in Kapedo responded immediately in pursuit of the criminals in an attempt to recover the stolen livestock but their efforts have been hampered by the rugged terrain and the bushy forest.
“The security officers are still combing the bushes because we believe that they might still be hiding in the valleys though the terrain is poor and can only be accessed by foot,” he added.
The police boss appealed to the locals whose livestock were stolen to be calm as they try to recover them. He asked communities in the area to co-exist peacefully so as not to derail the peace efforts by leaders in the region. He also asked them to shun the outdated cultural activity of cattle rustling.
“We are, however, trying to pursue the attackers and recover the stolen livestock despite the challenges. We have liaised with our counterparts in Tiaty East to also assist in the recovery,” said Mr Ogwari.
Security meeting
The Saturday security meeting was held at the border of Turkana and Baringo counties and leaders preached peaceful co-existence among warring communities in the troubled area which has been branded the valley of death.
The leaders from Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties unanimously agreed to bury the hatchet and work together in a bid to tame the runaway insecurity which has led to the loss of lives and displacement of thousands of people in the region.
The peace drive was led by Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya.
Others in attendance were governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Stanley Kiptis (Baringo), John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), Josphat Nanok (Turkana), Stephen Sang (Nandi), senators Samuel Poghisio (West Pokot) and Malachy Ekal (Turkana), MPs William Kamket (Tiaty), Charles Kamuren (Baringo South), Mohamed Lokiru (Turkana East), Joyce Emanikor (Turkana), William Cheptumo (Baringo North), Peter Lochakapong (Sigor), Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba) and other local leaders.
In a rare show of unity, the leaders called on the warring communities from the areas often affected by banditry to give peace a chance and co-exist harmoniously in order to foster development in the region that is associated with killings and livestock thefts that have made it lag behind for many years.
All the governors, MPs and MCAs from Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot greeted each other as a sign of a new declaration to work together in bringing to a stop the perennial insecurity in their regions.
Schools closed
The incessant flare-ups in the volatile areas of the North Rift region have led to disruption of people's lives, businesses and closure of significant social amenities in the area.
The perennial raids have adversely affected education in the area with many schools having been closed since 2005. This has contributed to dismal performance in national examinations.
Located at the border of Baringo and Turkana counties, Kapedo is known for bloody conflicts which have over the years left a trail of deaths.
Several attacks have happened in the area in the past including the killing of 22 Administration Police officers who were shot dead in a deadly ambush in Kasarani area in 2014.
