Peace actors in Migori and Narok Counties have urged communities living along the borders to embrace peace, love and unity.
Speaking Thursday during the International Day for Peace at Ogwidhi village along the borders of Suna East and Transmara, Peace and Development Network Trust (PeaceNet) Official Rev. Joe Asila said that peace was an important aspect in realizing meaningful social-economic development.
Asila said it was essential for border communities to embrace peace to be able to solve challenges facing the Kurian, Maasai and Luo communities along the Transmara, Suna and Kuria regions.
He disclosed that the border areas in Migori and Narok were still experiencing cattle rustling that can only be eliminated if there was trust, peace and unity among the local communities.
Asila urged the three communities to build and integrate peace to be able to coexist peacefully for the sake of future generations.
Suna East Division Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Mr. Thomas Koros noted that peace was a key component in the security of an area.
Koros however, acknowledged that cattle rustling and land disputes were still some of the challenges that Migori and Narok Counties were still facing.
The administrator urged the communities living along the borders to always refrain from violence and give dialogue and other problem-solving mechanisms a chance to address their challenges.
“Disagreement will always be there, but we should be able to embrace peace and border friendship in order to solve our internal problems amicably,” noted Koros.
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK)-Migori Chapter Official, Rev. Enock Odongo explained that lobbying and advocating peacebuilding in the two Counties will help to establish long-lasting peace solutions.
Odongo encouraged his peers to preach peace to their congregations in order to have a positive impact on the general communities living in Migori and Narok Counties.
The clergy added that churches should play an important role in unifying the society for the nation to achieve any positive economic agenda.
Odongo’s sentiments were echoed by Sikawa Location Chief Philip Korotom who acknowledged that the area of Ogwidhi village that borders Kuria, Luo and Maasai communities has been experiencing relative calmness since the 2007 post-election violence.
Korotom who represented the local administration of Transmara Sub County- Narok affirmed that cattle rustling was still the main challenge in the border region.
However, he admitted that the community elders from both Narok and Migori Counties have been meeting and discussing how best to address the border challenges.
Mid this month, Migori county commissioner David Gitonga and his Narok counterpart Isaac Masinde chaired a security meeting at Ang’ata Baragoi, along the borders of Kilgoris, Transmara and Kuria East Sub Counties to address cattle rustling and border land disputes.
By Geoffrey Makokha
