Turkana Governor Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai, on Wednesday, May 17, lamented over the sentencing of 32 Kenyans in the neighbouring Uganda.
Speaking during the swearing-in of 18 Turkana County officials, the aggrieved governor expressed concern over the conditions of the convicts in Ugandan prisons.
"We want our people to return whether we have pasture or not. The sufferings they have been subjected to while in Uganda is really saddening," the Governor stated.
Christopher Nakuleu, Speaker of the Turkana County Assembly, challenged President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to honour the East African Treaty to free the Kenyans.
"I plead with President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart to use the East African Treaty so that the sentenced individuals can be released," he stated.
Other leaders who attended the event also implored President Ruto to intervene, and allow the 32 convicts to be extradited to Kenya.
Why Uganda Jailed Them
A martial court in Uganda sentenced 32 Kenyans in April 2023. They were each slapped with 20 years behind bars for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
Reports indicated the 32 Kenyans were herders who had crossed to the neighbouring country in search of pasture and water for their livestock.
The court heard that the convicts were in possession of 31 rifles and 762 cartridges.
Appearing before a military court in Uganda, the herders pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Addressing the media, General Joseph Balikuddembe explained that the 32 Kenyans were apprehended following a sting operation conducted by the military officers.
“It was a well-executed operation after intelligence leads indicated that the kraal in the village owned by the Turkana pastoralists was a hideout for guns,” Balikuddembe alleged.
The Kenyans were among the 129 individuals who were apprehended during the operation.
The 32 Kenyans were arraigned in the court based on section 119 of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Act, which states that any person found with weapons, ammunition or equipment that is a monopoly of the armed forces will be subject to Military Law and tried by the Court Martial.
To address the issue, Kenya deployed East African Community Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
Uganda promised to address the concerns raised by Kenyans over the sentencing of the 32 individuals.
