BBC News Online: World: Africa

Kenya, Uganda root out rustlers

The move is being seen a first step towards solving the long-running problem of cattle rustling along the two countries' common border.

Kenyan officials told Nairobi's Daily Nation newspaper that the suspect was believed to have been involved in highway robbery, murder, rape and cattle rustling activities.

"My men have been hunting him for a long time following a wave of criminal activities in our district," District Commissioner Solomon Ouko said.

Livestock was also handed over to the Kenyan authorities at a meeting of officials from the two countries in Uganda's Kapchorwa district, the Daily Nation reported.

Mr Ouko said the suspect would appear in court soon.

Crack down

He said security personnel were still pursuing other suspected criminals in the district, and assured residents there was no cause for alarm.

Officials from both sides agreed to co-operate in combating crimes in which perpetrators sought asylum by fleeing across the border.

"We shall now work together with the Ugandan Government to ensure criminals who disappear into the country are repatriated and they agreed to reciprocate," said Mr Ouko.

The officials acknowledged that insecurity along the border had hindered development.

Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed in the past year, in the course of attacks by cattle rustlers.