Peace efforts in the volatile North Rift region have dealt a big blow as killings and attacks persist this festive season.
On Sunday night a man was shot and several others seriously injured by bandits in Ombolion village, Turkana County. Hundreds of livestock were also stolen during the incident.
Two weeks ago, seven people among them, three locals from West Pokot County were allegedly killed by the multi agency team undertaking a security operation in the region. Three suspected bandits from Turkana were killed by the mob after raiding Lochacha village, Turkwel region while a three-year-old child was killed at Chesegon area by suspected bandits from Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Area residents and leaders led by Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto and West Pokot County Assembly Speaker Victor Sigwa have raised concern over rampant killings and attacks along border despite the ongoing peace process.
Peace tournament
This comes after the North Rift region peace tournament that brought hundreds of people from the warring communities of Pokot, Marakwet, and Turkana, three cabinet secretaries, three Governors, ten MPs and other dignitaries was held in Kapenguria on Sunday.
However, a section of leaders from the county have been against the tournament citing that it was a mockery and bad show when killings were still witnessed. Some leaders, especially members of the county assembly who protested over rampant killings, skipped the event.
Area residents and leaders are now raising questions over the importance of the tournament in the wake of renewed attacks.
Peace tournament yields no result?
They said that the peace building program through the football tournament sponsored by Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen did not yield any fruits as attacks are persisting in the region.
They cite that the tournament only focused on elites and people from urban areas leaving out the real warriors and kraal leaders.
According to MP Moroto, the peace tournament should be done in volatile areas involving local community members and all leaders.
“The tournament could have taken place in affected areas like Chesegon and Turkwel with warriors given priority.We need peace caravans. We want the warriors to come and dance,” said Moroto.
Police officers’ laxity
The leaders who condemned the incident faulted the security officers working in the area over laxity.
“The peace tournament was taking place yet attacks were ongoing along the West Pokot Turkana border point. It is our wish that the Peace Tournament could have been taken to the affected areas. If the tournament could have taken place at Turkwel, the Ombolion attack wouldn’t have taken place,” said Sigwat.
Mr Sigwat faulted the Government for failing to protect West Pokot residents.
“Where was the drone propelled grenade that killed our people when the bandits were attacking our people? Where was the Kenya Defense force at Loyapat. Let them be on a watch out and have patrols,” asked Mr Sigwat who is also the Endough ward member of County assembly.
Nominated Member of County Assembly Marishana Cheruto called on the Government to withdraw all the illegal guns in the region.
“There is no banditry and no one fights in Kapenguria. The tournament was about leisure,” she said.
Mnagei ward MCA Richard Todosia said that there was a missing link in the tournament.
“The reformed warriors and the leaders of Kraas were not in Kapenguria on Sunday. They were in the bush. We need all Governors and MPS and peace ambassador Tegla Lourupe to champion the peace efforts. In 2016, there was calm when President William Ruto, then Deputy led the caravan in the North Rift region,” he said.
A resident Job Lokwakor said that many residents have been killed in the County yet the Government was doing nothing.
