Kenya to deploy more troops on Sudan’s border
September 5, 2008 (JUBA) — Kenyan government is considering to increase troops deployed on border with Sudan after deadly attacks Kenyans by Sudanese cattle rustlers at end of last August.
Kenyan Consul in southern Sudan, Joseph Kiplagat, said today that his country plans to deploy more troops on the border with southern Sudan to protect Kenyans from tribal disputes.
He further added that cattle rustlers allegedly to be from Sudanese Topossa tribe killed five people and wounded eight Kenyans, they also abducted a 18-year-old boy two weeks ago.
Following an attack in Turkana north District, north-western Kenya the Kenyan government submitted a formal protest to the Government of Southern Sudan regarding the killings and kidnappings faced by Kenyan citizens in the common border.
Nairobi also demanded the return of the abducted boy and the cattle stolen by raiders.
Kenyan interior minister George Saitoti told the press last Monday that the government through the ministry of foreign affairs has written a protest letter to the Southern Sudan government following the raid.
He asserted that his government will act swiftly to end cattle rustling in this northern Kenya and urged local leaders to cooperate with his ministry.
The Kenyan diplomat told Radio Miraya today that Sudanese armed cattle rustlers from raided about one thousand cattle, during the last two weeks.
The Toposa are based in eastern Equatoria near Sudan-Kenya border. Recently, the cattle raiders clashed with tribal and officials in Uganda and Kenya.
(ST)