Kenyan Pokot ambush UPDF major, kill 8
Jul 06, 2007
ARMED Pokot herdsmen from western Kenya last week crossed into Uganda and ambushed the commanding officer of the 19 battalion in Katikekile, Moroto district.
By Reuben Olita in Nairobi
and Steven Candia
ARMED Pokot herdsmen from western Kenya last week crossed into Uganda and ambushed the commanding officer of the 19 battalion in Katikekile, Moroto district.
However, the major’s guards repulsed the warriors, the army spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, said yesterday. He said the incident took place last Friday.
About 10 armed Pokot warriors, he said, took part in the attack, eight kilometres from the Kenyan border. He added that after they were repulsed, the warriors fell into the hands of other UPDF soldiers as they fled.
“They encountered foot patrol soldiers of the same battalion and there was an exchange in which we put eight of then out of action. We lost one soldier and two others were injured,†he said.
Kulayigye refuted reports in the Kenyan media that UPDF soldiers launched rockets at armed Pokot herders in western Kenya, leaving scores dead.
“I am not aware of any such attack. This is a creation of the Pokot warriors to cover up what they did. There is a Kenyan officer based in Moroto district. If there was anything he would have been the first to complain. In addition, we have the joint border security meeting and nothing has been brought up,†Kulayigye added.
The Standard newspaper said four people were feared dead on the Kenya-Uganda border in the attack on Tuesday.
and Steven Candia
ARMED Pokot herdsmen from western Kenya last week crossed into Uganda and ambushed the commanding officer of the 19 battalion in Katikekile, Moroto district.
However, the major’s guards repulsed the warriors, the army spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, said yesterday. He said the incident took place last Friday.
About 10 armed Pokot warriors, he said, took part in the attack, eight kilometres from the Kenyan border. He added that after they were repulsed, the warriors fell into the hands of other UPDF soldiers as they fled.
“They encountered foot patrol soldiers of the same battalion and there was an exchange in which we put eight of then out of action. We lost one soldier and two others were injured,†he said.
Kulayigye refuted reports in the Kenyan media that UPDF soldiers launched rockets at armed Pokot herders in western Kenya, leaving scores dead.
“I am not aware of any such attack. This is a creation of the Pokot warriors to cover up what they did. There is a Kenyan officer based in Moroto district. If there was anything he would have been the first to complain. In addition, we have the joint border security meeting and nothing has been brought up,†Kulayigye added.
The Standard newspaper said four people were feared dead on the Kenya-Uganda border in the attack on Tuesday.