Tension has escalated along the North Rift region, particularly at the West Pokot-Turkana border, following the killing of a 13-year-old boy during a cattle raid. The incident has heightened fears of renewed conflict between the Pokot and Turkana communities, threatening the fragile peace that had been achieved in recent years.
The boy, identified as Kisang Lonyakaa, was shot dead while herding cattle at Rumos area in North Pokot sub-county. Another boy, 14-year-old Mangoot Pusiecho, sustained serious injuries during the attack and was rushed to a nearby health facility, where he is reported to be out of danger.
Local authorities reported that the raid occurred in the late afternoon when suspected bandits from Turkana ambushed a group of children tending their families’ livestock. The attack has sparked calls from local leaders for increased government intervention and security presence along the border.
Residents blame the resurgence of insecurity on the absence of nearby security camps and the suspension of large-scale mining activities in the region. Ombolion Chief Joseph Korkimul noted that cattle rustling, fresh attacks, and child abductions have re-emerged in the larger Turkwel area, undermining stability in the border communities.
Local residents have expressed frustration over repeated incidents of violence, citing a lack of visible government commitment to curb cross-border raids. “Insecurity at the border has been rife, and we cannot continue watching our people die from these anti-social acts,” said one community member.
The renewed cattle thefts and attacks pose a significant setback to ongoing development efforts targeting pastoralist communities in Turkana and West Pokot. NGOs, together with support from the national government, had been working to enhance peacebuilding and economic development in the region. However, these gains are now under threat as raids continue to disrupt daily life and instill fear among residents.
Authorities have indicated plans to liaise with Turkana counterparts and hold a peace meeting aimed at restoring calm and addressing the root causes of cross-border raids. Calls have also been made for improved infrastructure, including opening roads and establishing communication networks, to ensure rapid response to attacks in remote areas.
The community remains on high alert, urging the government to take swift action to prevent further loss of life and to reinforce the peace initiatives that have been painstakingly built over the past years.
