by Christine Lagat
NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan security personnel on Wednesday launched a manhunt against cattle raiders responsible for fuelling inter-tribal skirmishes in the northern counties of Baringo and West Pokot.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett said a major security operation was in top gear to quell retaliatory attacks linked to cattle rustling in the volatile region.
"The ongoing security operations in Baringo County have been intensified with a view to arrest culprits and recover stolen cattle," Boinett said in a statement.
Kenya's northern counties saw violent skirmishes linked to cattle rustling, competition for pasture and water escalate early this year amid biting drought.
Nomadic communities in Baringo, Laikipia and West Pokot counties have engaged in retaliatory attacks leading to loss of lives and property.
Baringo County in particular has been a flash point as bandits from rival communities steal cattle while killing innocent civilians.
On March 12, suspected raiders from Illchamus community in Baringo attacked villages inhabited by the Pokot tribe where they stole 30 head of cattle and killed two people.
The killing triggered a spate of retaliatory attacks from Pokot raiders on March 14, which led to deaths of ten people.
Boinett said patrols have been enhanced along the volatile West Pokot-Baringo border to deter cattle rustling and attacks on communities.
"The police are under firm instructions to deal firmly with any law breakers especially those staging renewed retaliatory attacks," he said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta in his address to the National Assembly on Wednesday vowed to restore security in the three counties inhabited by farmers and herders.
