Following a spate of killings, and cattle theft in the troubled Kerio Valley region, religious leaders from West Pokot County are set for special prayers in hotspot areas within the region.

More than 20 people have been killed, hundreds of people displaced and property destroyed in Kerio Valley with rising tensions since the year began.

The leaders who are set to conduct peace caravans, meeting with reformed warriors to cement and foster peaceful co-existence shall pray for victims of banditry and cattle raids.

They will also engage reformed and active youths in banditry as a way of stopping recent rampant killings and cattle theft in volatile areas.

Religious leaders together with traditional leaders will meet, interact and deliberate on issues about peace building, reconciliation and new ways of empowering communities and groups with different skills to resist activities related to banditry and other unlawful acts that affect peace and stability in the region.

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Among the hotspot areas targeted are Chesegon, Turkwel, Kainuk and Kapedo.

African Inland Church (AIC) Pokot area Bishop David Kaseton said bandit attacks have become a menace and a threat to peace and only prayers can solve the problem.

He said that they also target Masol, Sook, Kaurion and Uganda areas for setting up churches.

“We shall move in hills and valleys to take the word of God to the grassroots. We want to take prayers in affected areas because now these attacks are too much,” he stated.

He added that they now have 300 churches in the region and hope to expand and open more for the mission.

“We want to have a bible school in Kapenguria town to add the one in Kong’elai,” he added.

Bishop Kaseton explained that churches will collaborate with the National and County Government in development and sensitize the community on the importance of education.

“We want to go to the ground and speak to the affected people. We want them to tell us the challenges facing them. 

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“We have hunger and residents not farming due to drought. We shall be on the frontline fighting banditry. We want neighbors to stay in peace,” he said.

The new Deputy Bishop for AIC Pokot area Simon Yota who was installed at Karas area expressed the need for reconciliation among warring communities in the region.

He emphasized that prayers are the only way of dealing with banditry and cattle rustling in the region.

“The attacks have left many families empty as key members are killed by bandits and their livestock stolen,” noted the Assistant Bishop.

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He added that churches will come together and go for dialogue in West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Turkana, Samburu and Laikipia Counties.

“We need a central place where leaders from these counties can meet and hold special prayers. “If we have prayers, we shall have roads, health facilities and schools opened. Residents from interior far areas need exposure. This way we shall end the attacks,” he said.

“We have the responsibility of fighting insecurity. Lack of peace with God is the beginning of bad things,” he stated. 

Story by Andrew Juma, TV47’s correspondent in West Pokot County