The government has introduced a new livestock movement regulation in the volatile North Rift region as a measure to curb the runaway cattle rustling menace.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya said the new regulations will ensure the source of livestock is known before permit for transportation is issued.

In the new system, chiefs will be required to give consent before county Livestock officers can issue the vital pass.

“No livestock will get out of these areas without a letter from the chief and his mobile number that will be used to clarify ownership,” said Natembeya.

Natembeya further asked chiefs from Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties to take full charge of their areas in order to curb insecurity along the Kerio Valley region.

Speaking during a peace meeting at Teren in Kinyach area along the border of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet yesterday, Natembeya said the same regulations have been applied  in Laikipia with commendable success.

“We get several cars abandoned in our road blocks daily.  Most of the drivers ferrying sheep we believe are stolen often flee  because they know they cannot  prove ownership of the cargo,” he said.

Leaders present at the peace meeting were governors Stanley Kiptis (Baringo) and Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), County Commissioners Henry Wafula of Baringo and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Dr Ahmed Omar. 

Regional commissioner wondered how animals are being moved from one location to the other without the chiefs’ knowledge yet they are the first people who can identify such vices at the grassroots.

“Unless you are not serious with your job or you are also collaborating with these criminals, this should not be happening,” he argued.  —KNA