50 bandits in North Rift quit vice, pledge to preach peace
By People Reporter, April 29, 2021Wycliff Kipsang @wsang08
Fifty former cattle rustlers have quit the trade and vowed to join the campaign against the vice in the North Rift region.
The former bandits drawn from Lomelo, Silale, Kasarani, Lokori, Kamunge, Lochagula, Napeiton, Nasorot and Kapedo have been wreaking havoc in the region including killing security officers and civilians alike and setting ablaze police vehicles and displacing thousands of people.
Erupe Long’ole, 28, a reformed bandit from Kainuk in Turkana County, said he ran away from home and joined the illegal group.
“I used to go without food for days which affected my health,” he said.
Long’ole has since abandoned the vice and has been at the forefront in urging bandits to surrender illegal firearms and join leaders in preaching peace.
“I used to mobilise young warriors to raid our neighbours, the Pokot, where we used to stage attacks at least four times a week.
I’ve discovered that banditry has no benefits,” he said last week during a public meeting attended by top security teams from Turkana and Baringo counties in Tiaty sub-county.
He said they are also reaching out to mothers whose sons are still engaging in the vice to surrender and support peace initiatives.
“To be sincere, for all the years I engaged in banditry, I didn’t benefit in any way as the Pokot used to retaliate and we return all their animals,” he says.
Kamket Tolerio, another reformed warrior from Silale, Pokot county said he was recruited by his friends.
“I even acquired a gun but I am old now and I no longer see the importance of engaging in the outdated practice. I want to preach peace.”
Build dams
He said for the many years he engaged in banditry, he didn’t benefit much from it as the animals used to die during the dry season adding that he also lost many friends during the deadly raids.
Other reformed bandits, who have confessed of their misdeeds publicly include Alima Ewoi from Turkana, Mlango Lemeuri (Turkana), Lodiang’ Long’or (Turkana) and Long’ole Kukat (Pokot).
The reformed warriors from the two communities are now organising a big ceremony to show their families and communities that they have changed and have embarked on journey to unite the warring communities.
They disclosed that they used to buy guns from a neighbouring country and Lokichoggio at between Sh100,000 to Sh150,000 from the proceeds of stolen livestock. A raid would see them get more than 100 cows.
During the meeting, they proposed stringent measures to end banditry with those engaging in the practice expected to face stiff penalties. “There will no longer be blanket condemnation of a community.
When some community members steal from another, raiders will be dealt with individually and stolen animals recovered,” said Lonya Mulele from Kapedo.
He asked the government to build more schools and drill dams in the area to avoid fights over scarce resources especially during dry spells.
Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya said the government has currently narrowed down its security operation to Tiaty, which is the epicentre of the attacks.
“Our focus on Tiaty specifically is to ensure we reduce attacks on border counties,” said the administrator.
He pointed out that he will task the North Rift Economic Bloc (Noreb), that brings together all the governors in the region, to lead the peace building process.
Women from the banditry prone region said they have borne the brunt of the conflicts and expressed optimism that the issue will be addressed once and for all.