Kaparo urges pastoral communities to embrace peace for development
NCIC Chairman Francis ole Kaparo flanked by Deputy Governor Omar Ali Abdi flags of the Marsabit Peace Caravan on August 17, 2015.The caravan will traverse the county preaching peace among the residents. PHOTO | KEN BETT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kaparo talked tough about the negative impression that has been created by the locals about their counties as hostile areas.
- He also challenged the locals to learn to shun leaders who are hell-bent on inciting communities against each other.
- Senator Godana Haragura cautioned residents against falling prey to tribal politics.
- The climax of the caravan will be at the Baraza Park in Moyale on August 22, 2015.
Pastoralist communities have been criticised for being a headache to both regional and national security due to the constant spate of attacks witnessed amongst them.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman Francis ole Kaparo said cases of banditry and ethnic skirmishes are “epitomes of insanity, arrogance and treason on the part of the pastoralists.”
He also attributed the ethnic atrocities to the scramble for the scarce resources in northern Kenya.
Dressed in a scouts’ uniform with scarf inscribed ‘Messenger of Peace,’ the former National Assembly Speaker talked tough about the negative impression that has been created by the locals about their counties as hostile areas.
He spoke during the launch of the Marsabit Scouts Peace Caravan at the Marsabit Stadium on Monday.
“You pastoralist communities are becoming a national headache if you don’t realize it.
“We are getting fed up with the news about you attacking and killing each other,” said Mr Kaparo.
He called on the local leaders to be peacemakers saying it is “the greatest mandate of children of God that is captured both in the Quran and the Bible.”
SHUN BAD LEADERS
Mr Kaparo also challenged the locals to learn to shun leaders who are hell-bent on inciting communities against each other.
His sentiments were echoed by Marsabit Deputy Governor Omar Ali Abdi.
Mr Omar pleaded with the residents to embrace peace and unity.
He said no people can progress without peace and unity.
Senator Godana Haragura cautioned residents against falling prey to tribal politics.
Marsabit County Commissioner Peter Thuku attributed the spate of killings in the region to tribalism and bad politics.
“The incidents of killings witnessed in the region have nothing to do with pasture. They are the consequences of tribalism and bad politics,’’ said Mr Thuku.
The Marsabit Scouts Peace Caravan is an initiative aimed at promoting peaceful co-existence among Marsabit residents.
The areas to be visited by the caravan are Laisamis, Mt Kulal, Loiyangalani, North Horr, Maikona, Sololo and Moyale.
The caravan comprises scouts from both local schools and representatives from different universities in the country.
The climax of the caravan will be at the Baraza Park in Moyale on August 22, 2015.
