Glimmer of hope as peace slowly returns to strife torn parts of North Rift

Reformed warriors take part in a 10km race. The championship held at Chemolingot in Baringo County was aimed at introducing them to athletics. Tiaty MP Asman Kamama flagged off the race on December 21, 2015. PHOTO | CHEBOITE KIGEN | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • For the better part of last year, many parts of North Rift knew no peace. More than 400 people including 19 Administration Police officers were killed at Kapedo.
  • The peace caravans traversed conflict prone Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Samburu, Uasin Gishu and Turkana counties. Thereafter, elite athletes took part in a Walk for Peace.
  • Mr Nanok warned that despite its enormous resources, North Rift region would continue lagging behind in development if communities do not cease hostilities.

Leaders and residents from the conflict prone regions in the North Rift are upbeat about finding peace.

Harmony is slowly returning to the region as the year comes to a close and there are hopes of sustainable development.

For the better part of last year, many parts of North Rift knew no peace. More than 400 people including 19 Administration Police officers were killed at Kapedo.

However, for the last three months the area has been experiencing peace. This is as a result of peace caravans organised by leaders, professionals and religious leaders.

Chairman of the Walk for Peace Committee Elim Lokapel said insecurity is to blame for perennial food shortages in parts of the North Rift.

But he expressed optimism that peace is slowly returning after many years of protracted conflicts, which have left hundreds death and scores of others displacement from their homes. 

 “The peace efforts are finally paying off. Our leaders need to be sincere in their endeavour to foster reconciliation,” Prof Lokapel told the Nation.

The peace caravans traversed conflict prone Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Samburu, Uasin Gishu and Turkana counties. Thereafter, elite athletes took part in a Walk for Peace.

The Walk for Peace saw the athletes take 22 days to cover more than 836 kms.

Bishop Cornelius Korir of the Eldoret Catholic Diocese said poverty is to blame for runaway insecurity.

“Education is one way of ending cattle rustling. All schools closed as a result of banditry should be re-opened. Integrated schools bringing together children from the warring communities should also be set at the borders,” he told the Nation.

Speaking recently during celebration to mark the end of the Walk for Peace at Lake Bogoria Spa Resort in Baringo County, governors Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and Josphat Nanok (Turkana) vowed to pursue peace.

“Our region sits on enormous resources, however, this would not be of much help if our people continue engaging in bloody conflicts, which scare away potential investors,” said Mr Cheboi.

Mr Tolgos stressed the need for economic growth so that pastoralists can discard retrogressive cultural practices.

Mr Nanok warned that despite its enormous resources, North Rift region would continue lagging behind in development if communities do not cease hostilities.

When the Nation team toured Kapedo on the border of Baringo and Turkana counties last week, residents were going about their usual business.

We even drove to Kapedo shopping centre, about 30kms from Chemolingot in Tiaty Sub-County without police escort.

Children were playing at a nearby field and police officers at Kapedo GSU camp were relaxing.

“The place is safe now. No more attacks and burning of vehicles. We don’t want to see a repeat of what happened last year,” said former Tiaty MP James Kalegeno.

The Pokot and Turkana communities meet weekly at Akiariamat Market where they intermingle freely.

The war on banditry got a big boost recently after more than 20 former raiders publicly confessed and laid down their weapons.