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A row is brewing between Kenyan and Ugandan Pokot herders and the Sebei community over grazing of livestock in Uganda.

The feud follows a severe drought that has affected Pokot pastoralists from West Pokot and those in Amudat District in Uganda, prompting the Kenyan herders to migrate in search of pasture and water for their livestock.

A team of 12 elders, peace actors, security team and political leaders from West Pokot, led by Deputy Governor Robert Komolle, yesterday headed to Uganda for grazing deal negotiations to forestall a looming conflict.

The peace meeting that was held at Mworechore village, Chepsukunya area in Kween district, however, ended up prematurely after leaders from Kween and Bukwo districts made resolutions, saying there will be no more peace talks until herders who had sneaked to Kween and Bukwo districts leave.

A bitter exchange of words ensued with the Sebei community members, authorities and leaders storming out of the meeting. The two parties failed to agree on the grazing deal. Sebei authorities and residents accused Pokot herders of destroying their crops, grabbing land and stealing animals.

The Kenyan herders were ejected last year after rampant killings and cattle theft was reported in Uganda.
Reconciliation efforts are still ongoing as leaders from affected communities agreed to have another meeting on Friday.

According to Sebei people, it is a mockery for Pokot leaders to ask for permission for grazing land yet the herders from Amudat District and West Pokot had already made their way into the grazing lands in the area. Areas where the herders are grazing their animals include Chepsukunya, Mworechore, Blambuli, Alalam, Karita, Lokales, Sundet, Nakurwoch, Riwo Cheborob and Kiriki.

Residents of Sebei region recently set ablaze grass to stop Pokot herders from grazing their livestock in the area.

A Pokot elder, Joseph Lopetang’ole, said they need peace for herders to graze their animals. “We are in Uganda for peace and to look for pasture and water. We want dialogue with our neighbours. West Pokot is now dry and there is no pasture and water,” said Lopetang’ole.

West Pokot County Peace Coordinator Joseph Akoule castigated those burning grass. “It is sad to burn grass rather than give it to animals for grazing. Our aim is to search for peace. Pokots and Sebeis are one. Some livestock were shot and we have ironed out the issue. We depend on each other for business. Sebei people come for sand in our land,” he said.

He said criminals should not commit crimes in Uganda and seek refuge in Kenya. Chebet Sirach, an official of the Chepsukunya Town Council, faulted herders for forcefully entering the grass ranches.

“We the Sebei people do not have livestock but have grass. Livestock keeping has become dangerous now because they are stolen. We have an organisation that is ready to start farming activities in the grazing lands,” he said. Kibet Naduu, retired Canon in the Ugandan Army, accused the visitors for committing many atrocities.

“Last year they killed my brother. A few days ago, a girl was shot dead,” he said.
Komolle said West Pokot and Kenya will cooperate on cross border issues.

He acknowledged that tension was high along the border because of the issue of grazing. “West Pokot or Kenya will not be a stumbling block to the resolutions made. We are all Kalenjins,” said Komolle. Amudat District Micah Lolem pleaded that the herders be allowed to graze their animals, noting that they are now desperate because of the looming drought in the area.

“We ask for forgiveness for our boys being stubborn. We need reconciliation. The cows are moving because of the desperate situation,” he said.

Dorcas Chelanga, the Kween District Secretary for Production and Woman council at Chepkusunya town Council said there is need for harmony in the region.

“I sympathise with animals and I also have crops. What has happened is negligence,” she said.
Amudat District Local Council Chairman Joseph Lobot acknowledged that Pokot herders lost their animals during evictions. Last year, scores of people were killed and hundreds of livestock stolen in renewed attacks at Bukwo District by bandits suspected to be from Kenya.

Fresh cattle raids resurfaced along the Kenya –Uganda border threatening to tear apart a 15-year-old peace accord between the warring communities of Sebei, Karamojong and Pokots.