Mlima Tatu area where the cursing ceremony took place | PHOTO-James Lokwale
By Gerald Mutethia
Elders drawn from Merile in Marsabit and Serolipi in Samburu Counties have conducted the worst traditional curse against notorious criminal gangs attacking and stealing from travelers.
Led by Salim Nesashore, the Samburu East elders’ peace chairman, and his Laisamis counterpart Peter Galwarse, the elders performed the curse at Milima Tatu accusing some organized criminal gangs who had made a habit of hijacking vehicles along the Isiolo Moyale-Ethiopia road, stealing camels, terrorizing traders and forcing travelers to give away their belongings.
They said the attacks and theft had led to the abandonment of Merile, Archers, Ndonyowasin, and Ngulukuriani markets affecting the area’s economy.
They expressed faith the markets will start picking up again and welcomed all traders.
Laisamis deputy sub-county commissioner Wycliffe Langat praised the elders from Laisamis, Logologo, Koya, Merile, Ndonyowasin, and Serolipi for volunteering information adding that the curse is a cure to insecurity in the area.
“We came here to show solidarity with the elders and we are grateful for the peaceful initiative measures they conduct, making government have easier work. We want to assure travelers that the road is safe with police patrols and no one should travel with fear. We believe there will be no more theft incidents along the Isiolo-Moyale road,” Langat said.
Waso Ward MCA Kelvin Lemantan of Samburu County claimed there are Witchdoctors who train Morans to spell witch to unsuspecting traders or Camel herders afflicting them for theft.
Lemantan said leaders and elders can’t condone a team claiming they are Morans which affects residents’ daily economic activities.
“They have spies at strategic road barriers and towns who inform their colleagues about the movement of vehicles without escorts for attack and theft. We also curse youths commonly referred to as Laiboni practicing witchcraft. (“Pia kuna watu kama Laibons, wazee pia wamelaani hao wahusika ili wawache kutuma watoto wa watu kwa barabara Kufanya hii kazi ambaye haisaidii sisi kama wananchi,”) the adults are cursed to stop misusing their children in committing the crime on the roads and other areas’ Lemantan said.
Laisamis/Merile MCA Daniel Burcha noted that people are tired of traders being attacked and injured, cattle rustling menace, and theft of property from business people, and can’t allow few goons to continue with the trend.
“We came here with one purpose, to curse those deteriorating securities along this road connecting us with Ethiopia all the way from Isiolo. This is the main road which is very symbolic in empowering people economically,” Burcha said.
Joel Lenguiya said they are starving due to hunger and lack of water for consumption as well as for their livestock.
“We depend on Tuktuk water and insecurity has deteriorated. We demand the government take urgent action and tame this menace. Most of our youths have no jobs and only roam in town. We were here to dedicate all those involved in causing havoc and insecurity on our roads, even one is my child or law or nephew from today he will be on his own and lonely, this worst curse,” he said.
