By Betty Luke
Nearly a week after Interior CS Kithure Kindiki allowed MCAs from banditry-prone areas of Samburu and Isiolo to engage communities and encourage surrender all stolen livestock ahead of a security operation, more than 100 stolen animals from both counties have so far been returned.
About 150 goats and cows have been recovered from different parts of Ngaremara and Waso wards in Isiolo and Samburu East respectively with the area MCAs Peter Losu and Kelvin Lemantaan vowing not to relent on the mission until all animals were recovered.
“Alternative Dispute Resolution is recognized by the constitution and we believe the mechanism will ensure justice to victims of cattle rustling. We will hold meetings in all the wards believed to host criminals to recover all lost animals and surrender them to their owners,” Mr Losu said.
He spoke during the third meeting at Nakuprat location in Daaba village (Ngaremara).
“There are those who think we are doing this for political mileage but that is not true. We resolved to work closely with the government to end cattle rustling that has made pastoral communities lag behind for a long time. By eliminating the vice, we will attract development to the region,” he added.
His sentiments were echoed by Mr Lemantaan who called on different peace actors to support the course that he termed as the only definite solution to banditry.
“If indeed you support our course, we welcome you onboard not to take photographs and use them for your own personal gain but to sensitize our people on the importance of coexisting peacefully and engaging in decent income generating activities,” said Mr Lemantaan.
The MCA appealed to the government to deploy more National Police Reservists to the region and especially along the Losesia-Kom belt that is notorious with banditry attacks.
“Criminals mainly use the Losesia-Kom route to drive away stolen animals unnoticed, and therefore, the need for additional armed officers to eradicate the crime,” he said.
Other leaders present at the meeting were MCAs Nicholas Lorot (Burat), David Lemantile (Oldonyiro), Nominated MCAs Rebecca Lolosoli and Fransisca Letimalo.
The leaders told off a section of Somali community leaders for demanding that the government expedite the security operation.
“It is sad that someone who identifies as a human rights activist is asking for an operation while they know it is likely to cause suffering to innocent people,” said Mr Lorot.
The six MCAs last week appealed to Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to suspend the looming security operation, promising to persuade their communities to surrender all stolen livestock and volunteer information to assist in the arrest of the criminals.
Prof Kindiki allowed the request but on condition that all animals that had been reportedly stolen would be surrendered within the shortest time possible.
“We appreciate the goodwill by the ward representatives but wish to inform them that their request will be allowed provided we shall have feedback on animals recovered on a daily basis. The number of animals recovered will inform whether or not we shall have the security operation,” he said.
Eastern and Rift Valley regional commissioners are currently finalizing on the roadmap ahead of the operation, which CS Kindiki said will run concurrently with the MCAs engagement.
The leaders will later this week hold similar meetings in Ngarendare, Losesia and Serolipi in bid to urge the locals to abandon cattle rustling and surrender stolen animals.
