The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has taken up the Kisumu-Kericho border conflict following recent clashes that have claimed three lives.
NCIC Commissioner Eng. Phillip Okundi said the commission was concerned about the prevailing situation in the area, adding that several meetings have been scheduled to broker peace.
He said the commission was set to meet leaders from both sides to develop a framework for long-lasting peace in the area.
The meetings, he said, aim to iron out the issues leading to flare-ups along the border to ensure that the two communities living in Kisumu County and Kericho County stay in peace.
Okundi, who paid a courtesy call on Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, underscored the importance of dialogue in ending the perennial conflict, adding that the commission was banking on the talks to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
“Dialogue and understanding are invaluable in fostering tolerance and peace among communities,” he said.
He said the commission, whose mandate is to promote national unity, equity, and elimination of all forms of ethnic discrimination and peaceful resolution of conflicts, will not relent until calm is restored.
For the last two months, the border of Kisumu and Kericho has experienced flare-ups that have left behind a trail of destruction and deaths.
In July, one person was killed at Sondu Market following clashes between the two communities.
Over the weekend, two people were killed at Jimu East Location in Nyakach Sub-County and several herds of goats and cattle stolen following clashes between the two communities.
In July, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. Kithure Kindiki held a security meeting at Sondu to quell tension.
A raft of changes are expected in the different police units serving the area after complaints from members of the community.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa announced on Tuesday that all Anti-Stock Theft Unit police officers manning the Tol Camp on the border had been transferred.
The RC assured the community that adequate security had been deployed to restore calm.
By Chris Mahandara
