Residents along Migori and Narok border asked to live in harmony

Migori,

Thursday, January 18, 2024,

KNA by Geoffrey Makokha and Marion Obuya

Residents who live along Migori and Narok border have been urged to live in harmony in order to promote prosperity in their respective areas.

Speaking during a security meeting on Wednesday that brought together security agencies from Narok and Migori Counties along the borders of Transmara and Ndimaru, Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga said that the Awendo Declaration should be respected to achieve peace between the communities of the Kipsigis and the Kurias.

Awendo and Tarime Peace Declaration were created to uphold, and maintain peace, and harmony among the border communities living in Migori and Narok Counties.

The two peace accords dictate that if cows are stolen from an area within the Migori and Narok Counties the responsible community will be liable to return the cows within seven days.  

He said that the security agencies will ensure any injustice is addressed to give closure and justice to any affected person in the two counties.

Gitonga cautioned those who were engaging in criminal activities like cattle rustling and escaping to the neighboring counties that the law would catch up with them and asked members of the public to help identify and fish out the rogue elements that destabilize the area.

The administrator also cautioned the border communities from carrying any offensive weapon to protect themselves or harm any person saying that it was the work of the security agencies to protect the citizens and their properties.

“Look for a license in case you have weapons like guns or else you will face the law for having unlicensed and unregistered weapons,” said Gitonga.

Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde pointed out that the land dispute between the Kipsigis and Kurians was still in court urging the community to remain peaceful and wait for the court ruling on the matter.

The disputed 400-acre piece of land that lies in the triangle bordering the sub-counties of Transmara, Ndimaru, and Kuria East has been a concern issue that has caused shivers and even resulted in some deaths of Kuria, Maasai, and Kipsigis communities that claim its ownership.

He called upon the residents to respect the 'stay order' from the court urging them to keep observing and respecting the law until the hearing and determination of the land ruling is heard and determined.

Masinde also condemned the residents who take the law into their own hands that the security apparatus will arrest and arraign them in court to face their crimes.

“When we talk about individuals that incite others we are not targeting or referring to a certain community but rather a person propagating incitement agendas,” stated Masinde.

He called upon the peace elders, church elders, and the political leaders from Narok and Kuria, to help the communities achieve peace.

“The peace elders should be reactivated to bring peace and harmony and solve cattle rustling and other security problems within the communities noted Masinde.

The administrator, however, urged the Chiefs from Ndimaru, Kuria East, and Transmara Sub Counties to coordinate and assist the community to achieve security and peace in their respective areas.

However, the Kuria residents called upon the security agencies to move with speed and address the insecurity of cattle rustling in the area.

They disclosed that cases of cattle rustling and stock theft are rampant on both sides of the border further escalating and creating more tension and anger on the border communities.

Courtesy; KNA