Kerio Valley attacks mar months of peace efforts

In spite of months-long efforts by politicians and veteran athletes to promote peace in North Rift counties, peace continues to elude the region.

Many North Rift residents, who were displaced by years of conflict, had begun to pick up their lives while others had returned to their homes.

At least 57 houses were burned, 237 livestock driven away and hundreds of villagers displaced after fresh violence erupted in Kerio Valley on Wednesday.
The clashes broke out even as Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet is expected in the region on Thursday for a security tour. The displaced families camped in a hospital, a police post and trading centres, according to a chief.

Two clans — Kabishoi and Kabsiren — fighting over resources repulsed armed police officers who were deployed to the area. They went on to exchange fire in a prolonged gun fight, setting homes on fire, driving away goats and sheep, looting goods and damaging other property.

After that, one group took over the escarpment while the other moved into the valley, about 45 kilometres apart, from where they continued to fire gunshots, as if in a show-off.

Marakwet East Sub-County Deputy Commissioner Hussein Alaso Hussein described the behaviour as a show of force.

Said Mr Hussein: “They are actually showing each other that they have weapons and that they know how to use them”. However, added the sabre-rattling wouldn’t stop the government from having a meeting with both sides.

SPILLED OVER

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa, who called for a for a ceasefire, was expected to fly to the area on Wednesday with top police chiefs, security agents and MPs to push for peace.

The fighting spilled over to the neighbouring Shaban and Kachesoom villages, according to Kibiriem Chief, Delphina Kilimo, whose Location was the centre of the violence, and who gave the Nation the figures.

The clashes were sparked off by the killing of Mr Charles Kimutai Biwott, 30, a member of Kabisho clan, which accused Kabsiren of refusing to hand over to police a “known” murder suspect.

“Innocent people have lost their livestock, which were the main source of livelihood, as well as homes and they will have to start building from scratch once normalcy returns,” said Ms Kilimo.

Many of the victims, estimated to be over 700, have sought refuge in their relatives’ homes, others have camped at Tot Sub-District Hospital while some have rented accommodation in markets, she added.

PEACE WALK

On Wednesday, Red Cross officials had reached the area to assess the humanitarian situation.

Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen urged the clans to drop their guns and turn up for a meeting with the security chiefs and leaders on Friday.

Courtesy of the shattered peace efforts, no raids had been reported in the larger North Rift region in the past two months, offering hope to leaders that the efforts were finally bearing fruits.

During a recent walk for peace, veteran athletes traversed Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, WestPokot, Uasin-Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties, covering at least 40 kilometres every day in 22 days — a total of more than 800 kilometres.

Prof Elim Lokapel, the chairman of a committee that organised the walk, said insecurity was to blame for perennial food shortage in parts of the region.

“We are losing a lot of man power and development due to insecurity in our region,” Prof Lokapel told the Nation.

“Our leaders should build sincerity in peace and reconciliation efforts. It is good this is beginning to be felt.”

The end of the walk was marked with an inter-community celebration at Lake Bogoria Spa Resort in Baringo County. Here, traditional dancers and elders from the warring Pokot, Tugen, Ilchamus and Turkana communities mingled freely and promised not to turn against each other again.

Governors Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and Josphat Nanok (Turkana), who joined the athletes in the celebration, pledged to lead peace efforts in the region.