East African States in Crisis Meeting Over Border Raids
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The East African Standard (Nairobi)
March 12, 2005
Posted to the web March 11, 2005
Masinde Kusimba And Osinde Obare
Nairobi
Security teams from three East African countries yesterday held a crisis meeting over increasing cases of cross-border raids among the communities.
The meeting, which brought together teams from Kenya, Uganda and Sudan, was held at Lokichoggio town in Turkana District.
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It came in the wake of a series of frequent incursions into Kenya by Toposa tribesman from Sudan and Karamojong of Uganda.
A joint livestock recovery unit was formed and the teams agreed that the unit would be given a leeway to pursue raiders across any border, without hindrance by any country's security forces.
The Kenyan delegation was led by Turkana District Commissioner Njenga Miiri and comprised area police boss, Bernard Muli, district criminal investigations officer, Jason Obilo and Turkana North MP John Munyes also attended the talks.
The Ugandan delegation comprised two resident district commissioners and three area MPs. The chairman of Kapoeta district led the Sudanese delegation.
"In the past, we have had a rough time pursuing stolen animals across the border and often ended up being repulsed by local security teams. This time round, we have agreed to help each other," said Muli.
A fortnight ago, nine Toposa raiders were killed by the Kenyan police when they invaded a manyatta in Turkana and stole over 800 animals.
The animals were later recovered and handed back to their owners. And early this week, 20 armed Karamojong raiders surrounded another homestead in Liboi village, Turkana and shot indiscriminately in the manyattas injuring five people. They later escaped with over 100 animals.
Munyes urged the Government to deploy more security personnel in the area to curb cattle rustling.
Since the beginning of the year, at least 11 people have been killed by cattle rustlers at Lokiriama area of Turkana .
Thirteen others who sustained injuries are recovering in local hospitals. The locals have lost over 2,500 cattle to the raiders.
Yesterday, local leaders led by former Turkana Central MP Emmanuel Imana said the raids had been carried out by Karamojong raiders.
They said in Kitale that the Government had failed to beef up security in the area.
Meanwhile, suspected Sebei militiamen from Uganda raided a primary school in West Pokot, vandalising and looting property worth millions of shillings on Tuesday night.
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The raiders, who came from Kapchorwa district in Eastern Uganda broke into Katikomor Primary School and destroyed the classrooms and desks.
They also stole textbooks and iron sheets during the 8 pm incident. No one was at the school during the raid. Leaders urged the Government to set up a police post in the area to contain the notorious militiamen.
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