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Homeguards At Border to Be Disarmed
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 19 July 2007 01:57
A security meeting involving the leaders of the two districts, at the weekend resolved to repossess the firearms after reports of complicity among the security officials in the raids.
Trans Mara District Commissioner Fred Mutsami and Kuria DC Joel Sigei told a rally at Kugitimu market in Kegonga division that homeguards were to blame for the escalation of cattle rustling in the region.
More than 300 heads of cattle have been stolen since last August, and several people injured in the attacks.
Trans Mara police boss Charles Mathenge was directed to co-ordinate the the repossession of arms, which should be completed in two weeks.
The leaders resolved to move police officers stationed at the border because they were suspected of helping raiders sell the stolen animals.
"They will be replaced with security officers from other parts of the country. We are determined to restore peace and good neighbourliness among the Kurias and the Maasais," said Mr Mutsami.
As the meeting continued, reports that 25 more cows had been stolen caused panic in the crowd. Chiefs from the affected regions were directed to pursue the raiders and recover the livestock.
The administrators vowed to crack down on security officers suspected to be involved in the raids.
Meanwhile, the South Nyanza branch of the Law Society of Kenya, (LSK) questioned the sincerity of the government's efforts to end the tribal skirmishes.
The chairman, Mr Kerosi Ondieki, and executive committee member Koina Onyancha, claimed the clashes were instigated by some leaders from the region.
They said the Kisii and the Maasai communities co-existed peacefully "before a clique of elected leaders, bent on clinging to power by evoking tribal emotions among the people, started the conflict."
