Deputy President William Ruto (centre), accompanied by West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, Governor Alex Tolgos of Elgeyo Marakwet, Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi during a peace meeting between Pokot and Marakwet communities at Chesegon in West Pokot yesterday. 31.07.2019. [Peter Ochieng’/Standard]
Warring communities in Kerio Valley have signed a peace accord in a ceremony witnessed by Deputy President William Ruto.
The pact between the Pokot and Marakwet communities follows two months of dialogue spearheaded by MPs from Baringo, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties to address banditry that has ravaged the region in the past six years.
The DP led the eight MPs and two governors in a five-minute prayer to turn “the valley of death to a valley of peace and tranquility”.
Dr Ruto also witnessed the reopening of Chesegon open air market, which closed seven years ago following clashes sparked off by incessant cattle rustling in the Kerio Valley triangle.
SEE ALSO :Kerio firm boss sues board for sackingUp to 120 people have been killed in the clashes in the last three years.
Ruto said the accord would pave the way for revival of stalled projects, including the Sh100 million Chesegon Technical Training Institute (TTI), and several roads as well as reopening of schools that had been deserted.
“Today we put aside all other activities to witness the peace agreement so that development can begin,” the DP said.
He said a similar peace meeting would be held in Baringo, Turkana and Laikipia counties to restore peace among pastoralist communities.
Ruto asked the communities to embrace trade and leave the backward cattle theft that had paralysed development in the region.
SEE ALSO :Peace eludes region as criminals outwit stateHe said Women representatives under Inua Mama lobby would be engaging women in the Kerio Valley from next week to help them start businesses and sustain themselves.
On agriculture, the DP asked governors from the region to join hands and revive the 1,000 acres Tot-Kolowa irrigation scheme that collapsed in 2016 due to insecurity.
Governor John Lonyangapuo of West Pokot County asked the State to complete the tarmacking of Kamelei-Chesegon road and Kolowa-Lomut road that cut across the three volatile counties, to allow security agencies to flush out bandits from their hideouts.
His Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos said the clashes paralysed the region’s economy, adding that counties were looking forward to increased revenue from inter-community trade.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said leaders from the three counties had set aside their political differences to lead peace efforts.
SEE ALSO :Wesk Pokot: Leaders hold peace meeting
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Kerio ValleyWilliam RutoPeace deal
