Turkana South MP James Lomenen and seven MCAs took their stand against banditry to a whole new level when they armed themselves and joined the police in pursuing the raiders who had attacked three villages.
They recovered over 1,000 stolen sheep and goats after a three-hour fierce battle with the bandits.
Lomenen, armed with an AK 47 rifle, the MCAs, and a team of security forces pursued the raiders for three days and laid an ambush in Suguta Valley, where the battle took place.
The legislator had been attending a peace meeting in Kerio when he got the news that raids had been conducted in his constituency.
The meeting was cut short as security forces quickly organized a response team.
A fleet of nine vehicles, the leaders, police and herders traveled to lay an ambush at two known escape routes in the valley.
The security team included police reservists who were on the front line, Administration Police and regular police who covered them.
On Wednesday evening, the team won the battle and rescued the stolen livestock.
Interestingly, a police helicopter dispatched to pursue the bandits arrived after the livestock had been recovered, three days after the attack.
Speaking to The Nation, Lomenen defended the action saying, “It is out of the pain and suffering residents are exposed when their only source of livelihood are stolen by bandits that inspired us (political leaders) to take part in the recovery exercise despite the risk of death.”
He however faulted his counterpart, Tiaty MP Asman Kamama for having failed to convince his people to embrace peace, alleging that the raiders were from Kamama's sub-county.
Northern Kenya has been the hub of fierce fights between communities because of such raids.
Bandit attacks and counter attacks in the region caught the attention of the whole country after over 50 people were killed in Nadome.
The government called for a meeting of all political and security leaders in the area who agreed to work on a peace plan.
See: North Rift Leaders Pledge to Cease Hostilities After Nadome Killings
The political leaders put their differences aside and began peace campaigns, in an effort to heal their land.
See: North Rift Leaders Embark On 7 Day Peace Preaching Mission
