Leaders drawn from the North Rift region have committed themselves to a 16-point resolution on how to bring lasting peace in the banditry-prone Kerio Valley region.
The resolution were as a result of a two-day Peace Summit held at Kitale Club.
Reading the one page resolutions to the delegates, host Governor George Natembeya said there is need for political goodwill and commitment.
“We call all for political will and commitment by region leaders to forge peace in the region,” Natembeya said.
The former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner said all elected leaders in the region will participate in a series of planned peace caravans in the region.
“We implore NOREB leadership, Governors, Senators, Members of Parliament, Women Representatives and MCAs to participate in Peace Caravans to communicate the resolve of the leaders to promote peace in the region,” he stated.
Security Forum
The leaders also resolved to nominate the chairperson of NOREB Peace and Security Forum who will act as the Convener, coordinator and focal point for all interventions related to peace and security in the region.
They also resolved to identify short–term interventions for promotion of peace.
Natembeya also said there is need for adoption of technology and related intelligence to promote peace as well as encouraging both the National and County governments to engage in non-violent peace efforts.
Further, the leaders resolved to nominate a secretariat that will coordinate a meeting with political leaders in the region. The meeting will be held within one month of the signing of the peace document.
They also called for the establishment of a technical multi-agency steering Committee bringing together the National, County, and Development partners.
The committee will develop a road map for inclusive development in the region.
In addition, Benjamin Cheboi, the Governor of Baringo said they resolved to call for cessation of conflict in the region.
“We need immediate cessation of conflict and/or ceasefire in the region and monitor incidences of conflict spearheaded by local leaders until a sustainable solution is found,” Cheboi said.
Marginalization
They also committed to lobby for disbursement of the Equalization Fund from the National government to the region.
According to the NOREB leaders, conflict in the region is linked to marginalization.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said they had also resolved that the region’s residents should be given alternative, dignified sources of livelihoods, enhanced livestock value chains, access to markets and provision of water and pasture for their livestock.
Moreover, they resolved to involve youth and women in peace building.
“Three months after signing of this document, we shall have our youths and women engaging in inter-counties sports for interactions and networking,” Kachapin said.
They also encouraged all the eight counties to operationalize NOREB Cooperation that was signed in Eldoret in May.
NOREB leaders also said there is a need for collaboration between the National and County Governments to enhance the security structure.
They called for commissioning of the County Policing Authority within three months of the signing of the document.
The second day of the forum was also attended by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim, Deputy Governors from the region among others.
