This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 9, 2020, a peace meeting was held in Moyale sub-county between the local Borana community and the Degodia ethnic group from Wajir, where the issue of cattle rustling and banditry was discussed.
The meeting was attended by Moyale MP Qalicha Gufu, his Eldas counterpart Adan Keynan, Moyale DCC Patrick Mumali, Sololo DCC Dennis Kyeti, and the DCC for Eldas Vincent Lamachar.
According to Galmah Dabaso, Chairperson of the Sololo sub-county peace committee, the free movement of people and livestock across the border was an enabling environment for cattle rustling.
Mr. Dabaso regretted that the illegal livestock trade along the border had also encouraged the proliferation of illegal firearms that were normally used to execute the livestock raids.
“Unless the free movement of people and livestock across this border is put under check, these cartels will continue to thrive,” he told the meeting.
The peace committee members asked the Government to facilitate talks with the Ethiopian authorities for a long-lasting two-sided agreement that would assist in keeping check on those who cross the border with animals.
Moyale Peace committee Chairman Mohammed Nurr called on the Kenyan and Ethiopian Governments to device a method that would see bilateral efforts applied in curbing the menace along the border.
