DP Ruto condemns cattle rustling, woos Abagusii ahead of 2017

DP Ruto condemns cattle rustling, woos Abagusii ahead of 2017

The Government will take stern action against the perpetrators of cattle rustling in the country, Deputy President William Ruto warned.

The DP termed the practice – which is common among Kenya’s pastoralist communities – retrogressive, saying it was negating the strides that the government has made in development.

“It is unbelievable that some individuals still practice outdated practices that have no room in this 21st century when other Kenyans are embracing education and technology to improve their lives. We will not allow some individuals to return us back…This is primitive and shameful in this era” said Ruto.

Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous reports about insecurity along the Kisii-Narok, West Pokot, Baringo and Marakwet borders, with perpetrators stealing cattle from neighboring communities.

These raids have sparked off inter-community clashes along border towns – a trend that the DP condemned strongly as he addressed Nyabururu Catholic Parish in Kisii County.

“We are not going to allow cattle thieves to determine how we should live or relate with our neighbours. We will deal with them harshly,” he said.

Wooing the Abagusii ahead of 2017

Ruto urged the Abagusii residents to support the new Jubilee Party, saying: “I want to ask the Abagusii community to join us in uniting this country. Jubilee is a party that has the matters of the people at heart.”

Speaking at the same function, Kisii MP Chris Obure said that leaders from the region – which has in the past supported the Opposition coalition CORD – will not follow parties blindly.

“You told us recently that we work with Jubilee and this is why we are here supporting the work of the Government. We will not follow some political parties blindly anymore,” said Mr Obure.

Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka said that the community will soon decide which party they will back in the 2017 General Election, his remarks coming months after he and other leaders from the community visited state house in what political pundits said was a power brokering meeting.

“As Abagusii community we are not going to gamble with our votes this time round. We will soon meet and make a wise decision on where we want to take our community come the next election,” said Mr Onyonka.

Other MPs present included Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North), Richard Tongi (Nyaribari Chache), Stephen Manoti (Bobasi), Mary Emase (Teso South), Zebedeo Opore (Bonchari), Hosea Ochwangi (nominated), deputy governor Joash Maangi, former CIC chairman Charles Nyachae.

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