Matiang'i outlines forces behind ongoing skirmishes in some parts of Rift Valley
By Judy Jerono
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said the lasting solution to the recurring conflicts in parts of Rift Valley region, is to put more efforts into education and development.
He said if all the stakeholders put effort on education and development, the living standards of the people in the affected areas will improve attributing the recurring skirmishes to poor leadership, culture and lifestyle of the residents.
During an interview with one of the TV stations, the Cabinet Secretary said that it has been difficult to end the conflicts due to the high illiteracy levels and cattle rustling which has over the years led to the loss of lives, wealth and displacement of thousands of residents.
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File image of Interior CS Fred Matiang'i. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
“It is taking time to win people off their retrogressive lifestyles,” Matiang’i cited.
The Interior CS further blamed politicians for contributing on the conflicts experienced. He added that if politicians starting from Members of County Assemblies help in calming the situation, it will end since they are on the ground and know their people well.
“But the long-term solution to this place is not bullets and guns. Not putting more policemen on the ground. The long-term solution is development, having more schools, social amenities, hospitals,” he said.
He stated that the situation has improved in some areas like West Pokot and in the enclave between Elgeyo Marakwet, Tiaty in Baringo and the border with Samburu and Turkana.
The Interior CS pointed out that some leaders believe arming their people is an expression of superiority.
He said that in the affected regions, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) funds are misused, claimed that some politicians in some affected areas spend the CDF funds to buy bullets adding that currently some of them have cases in a number of courts.
Matiang’i narrated how politicians knows where they meet their people when they visit the area.
“I flew there once when there was a problem recently and I was with some politicians. Then an MP tells the pilot let’s land here. I ask him, why are we landing here?”. He responds, this is where I meet people. But there are no people. And true to his word, when we landed, people just emerged. Each of those six constituencies have been receiving Sh100 million each year but when you go to the constituencies, you can’t see the Sh600 million,” he said.
File image of Interior CS Fred Matiang'i. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
“It is taking time to win people off their retrogressive lifestyles,” Matiang’i cited.
The Interior CS further blamed politicians for contributing on the conflicts experienced. He added that if politicians starting from Members of County Assemblies help in calming the situation, it will end since they are on the ground and know their people well.
“But the long-term solution to this place is not bullets and guns. Not putting more policemen on the ground. The long-term solution is development, having more schools, social amenities, hospitals,” he said.
He stated that the situation has improved in some areas like West Pokot and in the enclave between Elgeyo Marakwet, Tiaty in Baringo and the border with Samburu and Turkana.
The Interior CS pointed out that some leaders believe arming their people is an expression of superiority.
He said that in the affected regions, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) funds are misused, claimed that some politicians in some affected areas spend the CDF funds to buy bullets adding that currently some of them have cases in a number of courts.
Matiang’i narrated how politicians knows where they meet their people when they visit the area.
“I flew there once when there was a problem recently and I was with some politicians. Then an MP tells the pilot let’s land here. I ask him, why are we landing here?”. He responds, this is where I meet people. But there are no people. And true to his word, when we landed, people just emerged. Each of those six constituencies have been receiving Sh100 million each year but when you go to the constituencies, you can’t see the Sh600 million,” he said. What's Your Reaction?
