Kenyan government requested Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to exercise his prerogative power of mercy and forgive 9 Kenyan herders.
This request was made during a high-level security meeting between representatives of Kenyan and Ugandan governments held on Monday, February 20, at Moroto in Uganda.
The Kenyan delegate, led by East African Community Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, pushed for the release of Kenyans held in different Ugandan prisons.
Ugandan Security Minister, Jim Muhwezi, pledged to consider the request.
“We, the heads of delegations from Kenya and Uganda, have together, and alongside our respective delegations comprising of government, political and local leaders in Karamoja region and Turkana County resolved.
“We appeal to the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni to graciously exercise his prerogative power of mercy and grant pardon to the 9 Turkana herders currently in Uganda prisons,” Miano and Muhwezi jointly stated in a communique.
The herders were arrested in March 2022 for allegedly killing five Ugandan officials, including three geologists and two military personnel.
President William Ruto’s government promised Uganda that justice would be served.
“The Kenya Government committed to collaborate with the Uganda Government in carrying out thorough investigations on the killings of the Uganda nationals by suspected Kenyan herders.
“This will ensure criminals who were involved in the killing of the geologists are arrested and prosecuted,” the Kenyan government promised.
The delegation further explored security measures to be implemented to ensure peace in Turkana (Kenya) and Karamoja (Uganda) regions.
“Kenya's government will consider mechanisms to strengthen the military liaison office in Karamoja by extending the year of stay.
“Additionally, the county government of Turkana will consider establishing a Civilian Liaison Office in Karamoja as a bridge between security and civil administration in resolving day-to-day issues affecting Turkana herders in Karamoja,” it was resolved.
The delegates also resolved to deploy adequate security forces on strategic points along the border, considering specific raiding routes and known hide-outs for bandits.
