Cows detained by Police is causing a farmer nightmares

Eldama Ravine, Tuesday June 20, 2023

KNA by Christopher Kiprop

A farmer from Arama in Eldama Ravine is crying for justice after being unable to retrieve his five cows detained by Police at the Makutano Station.

Noah Kiplimo said he is unable to free his cattle after the police at the station demanded that he parts with Sh25,000 being herders’ fees for the three weeks that his cows have been at the station.

Kiplimo said his cows strayed and disappeared at the Narasha forest during a normal grazing and he could not find them for three weeks. “I later found them at the Makutano Police Station, but I was informed that they grazed on someone’s farm and the owner wanted compensation which we agreed on Sh15,000 and I paid,” said Kiplimo.

He said after that the police have been taking him in circles,“First they asked for documentation to prove that the cattle was mine, which I provided a letter from the chief, but later on they said I should pay Ksh 25,000 being Ksh. 250 for each cow for the days they were detained as payment to the police for looking after the cows,” said the distraught farmer.

William Kiplong’on, a resident of Arama said they are shocked by the Makutano Police Station who are demanding for Sh25,000 even after detaining the cows for three weeks.

He is calling on the County police Boss and other leaders to come to the farmer’s aid as they cannot understand why the police is demanding for money. He said the farmer is suffering as he was relying on the livestock as a source of milk for his family and livelihood.

Area Member of County Assembly Lawi Kipchumba called for an investigation into the matter at the Makutano Police Station by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki.

He alleged that one of the cows which had calved is missing from the herd and they are wondering whether it was already sold. He accused the OCS of Makutano of being high handed and not respecting elected leaders,

“He told me that I should have reported the matter to the local media, and that I was late in doing so,” added the MCA who is also the majority leader at the Baringo County Assembly.

The Makutano OCS Joseph Nyasili said he could not comment on the matter as it was being handled by his superior.

Joseph Ongaya, the Koibatek Sub-County Police Commander said that he was not aware of the demand for Sh25,000 saying the police does not charge to graze cows.

“Due procedure was followed in the matter, we called the agriculture officer who valued the crops that were destroyed and the owner of the cow asked for an out of court settlement where they arrived at the said figure of Ksh. 15,000, I am not aware of any other monies being demanded from the farmer,” said.

Courtesy ; K. N. A