Police officers and peace committees along the borders of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties have recovered 17 heads of cattle that were stolen in May this year by suspected bandits.
Three animals were handed back to the owners in the Pokot side as fourteen others to the Marakwet side on Thursday at Chesogon border area of the two counties, marking a new peace initiative unlike before when stolen cattle would never be traced or recovered.
West Pokot County Police Commander, Jackson Tumwet, said the recovered 17 heads of cattle were handed over to the owners following deliberations from security and peace committee teams from the two counties.
Tumwet said security teams had been pursuing the cattle that were reported missing in the region leading to their recovery.
The County Police Boss has commended security officers and members of the peace committees and elders who have helped bring tranquility and peace to the Pokot, Marakwet and Turkana communities living in the common border zone.
He said the team is still pursuing the remaining stolen livestock in the area, calling on community members to collaborate in the recovery drive.
Pokot Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Were Simiyu, said deliberations from a peace and security meeting held at Chesogon border gave a seven days extension order to Ng’oron (Tiaty Sub- County) and Endo Location (Marakwet East) to surrender the remaining stolen livestock.
“The security teams did also resolve to enhance patrols to entirely flush out criminals in the region,” stated Simiyu.
He reiterated that the weekly peace meetings involving Constituency Peace Coordinators for Marakwet East and Sigor, Chiefs and their Assistants from Tot, Chesogon and Ng’oron divisions, religious leaders, border peace committee and the general public have yielded peace and tranquility which has been enjoyed for about two years now.
By Richard Muhambe
