Leaders from the Pokot community in Amudat district have appealed to the leadership of the Sebei sub-region to permit Pokot herdsmen to graze cattle on their land. The request was made during a security meeting held at Lokales Sub County in Amudat district, aiming to reconcile the Pokot and Sabin communities.
The Pokot pastoralists had been banned from grazing their cattle in the neighboring districts of Sebei sub-region due to numerous attacks and crop destruction incidents caused by Pokot livestock. Now, facing the challenges of drought, Pokot leaders seek forgiveness and permission from the Sabin community to graze their cattle on Sebei land.
Micah Lolem, the Member of Parliament for Upe County in Amudat district, highlighted the losses suffered by the Pokot community due to drought, emphasizing their need for pasture and water. He urged the Sabin leadership to allow them to graze their cattle in Sebei land while working with security forces to address any issues caused by wrongdoers.
Joseph Lobot, the LC5 Chairperson of Amudat district, called for forgiveness and emphasized the historical background of peaceful coexistence between the two communities. He expressed concerns that insecurity might persist if a lasting solution is not found.
Gorge Owanyi, the Amudat Resident District Commissioner observed that the Pokot pastoralists are going through hardships and it would be bad for leaders to watch them lose their livestock due to lack of pasture. Owanyi urged the Sabin community to consider saving the livestock of Pokot first as leaders continue with engagements to draw better alternatives for resource sharing.
He noted that the Sabin will not be at peace if Pokot loses their animals and this may escalate the insecurity in the process of recovering what is lost.
However, leaders from the Sebei sub-region turned down the request, stating that the district council had already passed a resolution to ban Pokot pastoralists. Marisa Cheptegei, the LC5 Chairperson of Bukwo district, mentioned the fresh wounds from previous attacks and the need for consultation with the local people before making a decision.
Ben Soyet, the Kween district speaker shared the same views on the resolution, saying that this position can only change once other avenues are explored to allow the Pokot access their lands. Soyet noted that Pokot pastoralists have caused a lot of damage to crops, and loss of livestock and lives, which leaves the Sabin communities trapped in extreme poverty.
Peter Satya Chappa, the LC3 chairperson of Ngenge Sub County in Kween district, said that the Pokot of Kenya and Amudat have always been collaborating to raid cattle from the neighboring districts. Satya revealed that they are losing ten cows per night to Pokot warriors and some of the cows are being recovered from the Kenyan side. Satya noted that the Pokot pastoralists have also resorted to grabbing land along the borderline between Kween and Amudat.
Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, the deputy 3rd division commander, suggested the formation of a committee to facilitate negotiation processes between the two communities. He emphasized the need for mutual respect and called for an end to the harassment and killing of soldiers working to protect lives and properties.
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