Tension Along The ‪‎Kenya‬-‪Ethiopia‬ Border

IN SUMMARY

• The problem began when Ethiopian herders attempted to cross into Kenya’s Kibish district with their animals in search of pasture.
• Senators and MPs from pastoral communities want the County Policing Authority established and assigned powers to deal with cattle rustling.
• They are also demanding for the restructuring of the Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) unit.

Tension is building up along the Kenya-Ethiopia border due to a standoff between two rival pastoralist groups.

The problem began when Ethiopian herders attempted to cross into Kenya’s Kibish district with their animals in search of pasture.

“It is an act of provocation for the Ethiopian herdsmen to flout regulations by entering the country while armed,” said Kibish district commissioner Eric Wanyonyi.

He said that the Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) and a team of security personnel was deployed to the border to resolve conflict between the Ethiopian Nyang’atom herdsmen and their Turkana counterparts.

Mr Wanyonyi said the provincial administration from the two countries has invited elders from Yabakuno, Ngaissiger and Kwatela clans from Kenya and their Donyiro and Merrile counterparts from Ethiopia for fresh peace talks.

Senators and MPs from pastoral communities want the County Policing Authority established and assigned powers to deal with cattle rustling.

They are also demanding for the restructuring of the KPR unit.

During the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group (PPG) held in Mombasa recently, leaders resolved that the Kenya Defence Forces need to be deployed at border points.