Kuria-Transmara border communities want local administration to support peace efforts

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SECURITY

Community members found along the troubled border between the Kuria and Kipsigis communities have accused the local administration of interference in local driven peace initiatives

Speaking during a peace meeting between leaders from the Kuria and Kipsigis communities in Migori town, the Regional Director-Eastern Africa Collaboration for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (EACOR), Betha Kokach, decried that efforts to restore lasting peace in the troubled border was thwarted by actions of certain government administration officers who outlawed any peace meetings among the feuding clans.

Kokach said that the forum has, however, resolved to have a peaceful co-existence between the two communities for social and economic development. She noted that EACOR has outlined some of the issues aimed at enhancing peace and bringing the two communities on board to resolve their issues amicably.

According to David Gibuka, Kuria clan representatives, they will continue to advocate for peace and sensitizing the Kurians on the importance of embracing peace and cohesion. Gibuka, however, outlined that issues of discrimination, land and administration have greatly contributed to the conflicts witnessed between the two communities for over a year now.

Gibuka sentiments were echoed by Christine Chebi, a resident of the Kipsigis community who acknowledged that it all started with cattle rustling and slowly evolved to land tussle.  “We can no longer do business across the board simply because of lack of security and mistrust between ourselves,” lamented Chebi.

  The insecurity and infight between the Kurians and Kipsigis along the Kuria East and Transmara Sub Counties led to the establishment of the Awendo and Tarime Peace Declaration with the aim of upholding, maintaining peace, and harmony among the border communities living in Migori and Narok Counties.