Banditry
Leaders from West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties have joined hands in addressing the issue of banditry that has plagued Kerio Valley for long earning it a bad name.
The leaders from the two regions have been holding joint radio live shows urging residents to end banditry and embrace peace stating that the ice has been dragging the region’s economy behind.
They recalled that in 1990s, the two counties enjoyed peace and the economy was not as bad compared to currently, as both communities collaborated in bringing development.
According to the West Pokot County Commissioner for Human Rights Dr. Raymond Kanyeris, banditry has affected many businesses and has led to closing down of some schools such as Cheptulel Secondary School.
“Banditry has brought a lot of loss whereby many schools have been closed due to banditry,” said Kanyeris. He said that as a county, they have a plan where leaders from all the counties that are witnessing banditry attacks should meet to discuss strategies in order to bring peace while various stakeholders in the localities should spread peace messages through songs and other forms of art.
A Gender Equality Counselor from Marakwet East Winny Kanda urged Kerio Valley residents to embrace peace saying that peace encourages intermarriages amongst conflicting communities.
“Banditry has nothing of importance in our communities. The only thing guns bring to us is loss of lives and destitution where children lose their parents. Guns have not brought any profit to our communities but the only thing we experience is loss of life and a myriad of problems,” stressed Kanda.
She added that banditry victims have not received any assistance despite sustaining disabilities.David Chepelion who is in charge of Peace and Disaster in West Pokot called on those who supply guns in the region to come for their arms because the region does not need them.
He added that the issue of banditry has disturbed many of the county’s leaders saying that the resources the county has planned to use for development were being used in condoling with the affected families.
“The kind of resources the county has prepared for development are being used by county officials in travelling to condole with the families who lost their lovely ones,” said Chepelion.
Residents from both communities blamed politicians for allegedly ‘leading by bad example’.
They also insisted the Ward Representatives from the affected areas especially in Mosop location should meet and set up a police station. “We want the Ward Representatives from Tapach location and Kamologhon location to meet and set up a police station,” maintained the residents.
They insisted that no one from outside the community would enhance peace in Kerio Valley unless residents committed to end the animosity between the Pokot and Marakwet.
