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{
    "id": 1275513,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1275513/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 37,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Lomenen",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2940,
        "legal_name": "James Lomenen Ekomwa",
        "slug": "james-lomenen-ekomwa"
    },
    "content": "Historically, pastoralist communities on both sides of the border have maintained cultural and social ties and have followed migratory grazing patterns, moving their livestock seasonally to areas of greener pasture. This, however, has come under threat in the recent past with the constant harassment of Kenyan pastoralists by Ugandan authorities. More recently, in April 2023, 32 Kenyan pastoralists from Urum and Lokiriama villages in Turkana County were arrested by the Uganda People's Defence Force and the police, in the guise of disarmament operation. They were tried in a court martial and sentenced to 20 years in jail. Six others suffered gunshot wounds in the same alleged disarmament operation. It has been approximately four months since the arrest, yet we have not been made aware of any efforts by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to secure the release of the arrested pastoralists. It is imperative that the pastoralists are released as the Kenyans who have equal rights and deserve a fair legal process in their trial. I am apprehensive of the legal process and evidence presented during their trial and believe there could be a miscarriage of justice. I filed a Question on this matter to the respective Cabinet Secretary, whose appearance in this House has been scheduled twice. However, he has not honoured the summons by the Senate. Mr. Speaker, sir, it is from the foregoing that I urge the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations to inquire into this matter and initiate engagement with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to secure the release of the arrested pastoralists. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}