Hundreds of Ugandan soldiers have crossed into Kenya to pursue Pokot warriors who on Saturday shot dead three of colleagues and took away guns in a cattle raid, a Kenyan official has said.

Pokot North District Commissioner Joseph Motari said dozens of the foreign troops crossed into Kenya’s Amkuriat on Saturday evening in pursuit of the Kenyan warriors.

"The Pokot tribesmen attacked Karamojong herders in Kapilakiu Moroto district Eastern Uganda and stole 80 head of cattle," Motari told Xinhua on Sunday.

"After the attack, the warriors drove away the stolen animals towards Kenyan border but we pursued with Uganda People Defense Forces (UPDF) prompting a fierce exchange of fire which left three officers dead.

"The warriors also picked the guns of the slain officers," said the official.

Motari said the soldiers have pitched tents inside Kenyan territory until the guns and the stolen animals were recovered and handed back to them.

"It is true they [the Ugandan soldiers] are in the country and wants the stolen guns and animals returned to them and the government has deployed security to track down and recover the stolen animals plus the firearms," the official told Xinhua from Alale District headquarters.

The heavy presence of the armed soldiers has sparked tension along the border with hundreds of Pokot herders fleeing the area after the angry UPDF soldiers seized cattle in the area.

The soldiers streamed to the area on trucks and others on foot from the border 45 km away and have since vowed not to return to their country until Kenya produces the guns and the animals.

"We are staying here until the guns and animals are retuned to us and we want warriors involved in the killing of our colleagues arrested," a Kenyan official quoting a senior UPDF officer as saying.

Motari said Kenya security has been mobilized to chase the warriors and recover the animals, but the difficult terrain in the area has hampered the hunt for intruders.

A resident Lokitale Lonit reported of high tension and that villagers at Nasal area have abandoned their homes because they are scared of brutal attacks.

"Villagers are fleeing areas along the Uganda border fearing they could be arrested by the Ugandan to force them produce the animals and the guns,’ said Lonit.

Kenya’s Minister Samuel Poghisio, who is also local legislator, accused the Ugandan soldiers of illegally crossing into Kenya and rounding up cattle.

"The soldiers have violated the diplomatic procedures by crossing into the country and seizing animals.

"They should have waited for the recovery of the stolen animal in the territory since our security machinery was on the ground to pursue the criminals," said the parliamentarian.

local media said the UPDF managed to pursue and recovered 60 head of cattle that had been stolen from Kenya by Karamojang warriors from Katikitile village in Nakapiripirit district.
. source: coastweek news