A court in Samburu has sentenced a convicted cattle rustler to 60 years in prison in a precedent-setting case after finding him guilty on two counts of robbery with violence.
Ekano Lokadaa was arrested in the Lonyek area in August 2023 amid escalating gun violence that left tens dead and property stolen or vandalised in various parts of Samburu West.
His arrest followed evidence linking him to several robberry incidents that devastated the livelihoods of local pastoralists.
During the trial, prosecutors described Lokadaa’s involvement in the organised crime network that made it difficult for security forces to trace stolen livestock across the Samburu West region.
The court was told his actions, which he carried out with others who remain at large, had severely impacted the local pastoralist community, which heavily relies on livestock for survival.
In one charge, Lokadaa was accused of robbing Pulanti Lenyalwa of 20 heads of cattle valued at Sh5 million while armed with dangerous rifles.
Another charge detailed Lokadaa’s role in the theft of 27 cattle worth Sh1.35 million from Mr Lematon Lepalkimoi.
“This is a serious offence. Let the court give a necessary punishment that he deserves,” the prosecution said.
The then Maralal Principal Magistrate James Wanyanga ruled that the prosecution had demonstrated the charges against Lokadaa “beyond reasonable doubt.”
He noted that the evidence provided met the required legal standards, making a strong case for the accused’s conviction.
"The prosecutors proved the charges to the required standard," Mr Asiyo said while delivering the sentence on Monday.
Lokadaa’s 30-year sentence for each charge will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 30 years, unless he appeals.
Despite Lokadaa’s plea for leniency, Mr Asiyo took into account the severity of the offences, sentencing Lokadaa to reflect the harm inflicted on local communities.
The cattle rustling crisis in Samburu West has escalated over the past 19 months, with banditry resulting in multiple fatalities, widespread displacement, and long-lasting trauma among local communities.
Families across the region, still recovering from repeated attacks, continue facing the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives amidst persistent threats and deep-seated trauma.
Thousands of displaced pastoralists remain without homes after they were forced to abandon their properties for safety as cattle rustling continues to devastate the region.
