Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS), Kipchumba Murkomen, has urged the communities, living in Kiango area at the border of Narok and Kisii counties, to foster peace in order to promote sustainable development.
Speaking during an inter-border meeting at Kiango, CS Murkomen said the intercommunity clashes witnessed in the area one week ago were unfortunate because the two communities have been existing peacefully in the recent past.
The clashes, which began after the theft of a cow, had left one person dead and several others nursing injuries after being shot with arrows.
“I was saddened to hear that communities that have intermarried and conducted business together are now fighting among themselves,” he said.
Murkomen pointed out that he had engaged with the local leaders in the region and agreed to work together to resolve the root causes of conflict on the border.
The CS said those who stole the cow would be charged in a court of law to avoid having repeat offenders within the community.
“If a cow is returned and the community members agree to live in peace, the same offender will go ahead and steal again. Therefore, I have instructed the security officers to arrest the thieves and see to it that they are taken to court to answer to the charges,” he said.
In addition, Murkomen told the security team to ensure they disbanded criminal gangs that were operating and terrorizing community members on the pretext of offering them protection.
Murkomen cautioned the community members against accepting persuasion from the political class to establish gangs within the community.
He also promised to boost security operations within Kiango and the neighbouring villages to curb the selling of illicit brew and drugs.
“All our chiefs and police officers are under instructions to ensure that we get rid of all the drugs and illicit brew being sold in this area so that we protect the future generations,” Murkomen said.
Similarly, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, said the law would take its course whenever a crime, such as theft of a cow, is committed.
“Even as you follow the guidance of the elders, once an offence has been committed, we must also ensure that perpetrators are arrested and charged in a court of law,” said Lagat.
He called upon the community members to join in the fight against illicit brew and alcohol by reporting the perpetrators to the relevant security agencies for action.
Speaking at the same function, Kisii Woman Representative, Dorice Aburi, urged the local chiefs, who have firsthand knowledge of the communities, to take the leading role in promoting conflict resolution.
Aburi called for a salary increment for the chiefs, saying that they play a crucial role in maintaining stability within the communities.
Her counterpart from Narok County, Rebecca Tonkei, decried the devastating impact of such conflicts, especially on women and families.
Ms.Tonkei noted the inter-marriages between the two communities had bonded them and the clashes would only end up ruining the already-established relationships.
She encouraged the community members to foster peace so that they can promote social unity and economic growth.
The meeting with CS Murkomen comes two days after the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, Dr. Abdi Hassan, and his Nyanza counterpart, Ms. Florence Mworoa, visited the area to promote cohesion and co-existence among the two communities living there.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu also met with the community members at the same venue earlier on to discuss the root cause of the clashes and mitigation measures of the conflict.
By Mercy Osongo and Michelle Amota
