A major cross-border operation on Monday, June 30, 2025, led to the successful handover of recovered livestock at the Nawontos border point in Oropoi Division.
The security delegation, led by Deputy County Commissioner Orache Kennedy and Sub-County Police Commander SSP Peter Wahome, facilitated the return of 46 stolen animals—30 cows, 13 goats, and 3 donkeys—to Ugandan authorities.
“Yesterday, 30 June 2025, a security team from Turkana West, led by Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Orache Kennedy and Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) Turkana West, Peter Wahome, SSP, proceeded to the Nawontos border point in Oropoi Division for the official handover of recovered livestock to the Ugandan authorities,” read part of the post on the NPS X account dated July 1, 2025.
This handover follows a recent raid reported on June 25, 2025, when Ugandan officials alerted Kenyan forces about suspected Turkana youth crossing into Uganda to steal livestock.
The National Police Service (NPS) swiftly mobilised and successfully intercepted the raiders, recovering the animals within hours during an armed cross-border raid in Turkana, averting what could have been a major flare-up along the volatile Kenya-Uganda border.
Peace dialogue
The livestock return was accompanied by a peace dialogue involving elders and representatives from the Turkana and Karamojong communities. The meeting aimed to ease long-standing tensions and foster peaceful coexistence along the Kenya-Uganda border.
Leaders reaffirmed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that seeks to end armed conflict and cattle rustling, a practice that has historically strained cross-border relations. The initiative mirrors previous efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance security cooperation between the two nations.
Cattle rustling threat
Cattle rustling remains a significant threat to regional peace, driven by illegal firearms, poverty, and environmental stressors such as drought. Though traditionally a cultural practice tied to rites of passage and wealth, modern rustling has become increasingly violent and commercialised.
Security analysts point to the slow pace of disarmament and limited state presence in border regions like Turkana as key challenges. Despite past programs such as Dumisha Amani, illegal arms remain widespread, complicating peacebuilding efforts.
The handover of livestock represents more than just asset recovery—it’s a crucial economic restoration for pastoralist families who depend on livestock for survival. It also stands as a symbol of improved regional coordination between the NPS and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), who continue to work together on surveillance and cross-border security.
In a statement, the NPS reaffirmed its commitment to protect lives and livelihoods, saying it remains steadfast in enhancing peace and supporting disarmament initiatives.
This cross-border handover serves as a testament to what’s possible when diplomacy, swift action, and community dialogue converge in a region historically marred by conflict.
