Kenya dismisses reports about troop deployment on Sudan border

September 6, 2008 (JUBA) — Kenyan Consulate has dismissed reports about possible deployment of more troops on the joint border with the Sudan following growing attack by cattle rustlers.

Radio Miraya quoted yesterday the General Consul as saying that Kenyan government was considering to deploy troops on Sudan’s border. But the mission asserted that the Consul didn’t make such statement to the radio.

But the Kenyan Consulate, in a statement sent to Sudan Tribune by email from Juba, contested the accuracy of that statement saying “Kenya is not planning to deploy troops at the border because there are normal police stationed in the area.”

“The Kenya Government and the Government of South Sudan are enjoying very cordial relations and will address this perenial problem of cross-border cattle rustling in a consultative manner,” worded the statement carefully.

Armed cattle rustlers suspected to be Topossa from Southern Sudan attacked twice last month Lorau and Mogila Locations in northern Kenya. During the first raid the cattle rustlers killed 3 Kenyans while 8 Topossa raiders killed. In the second attack they killed two boys and abducted one, they also stole around one thousand cattle.

Nairobi protested officially to the government of southern Sudan over the attacks and requested safe return of the abducted Kenyan and the stolen cattle.

(ST)