Sebeyi, Pokot hold cross-border peace meeting

The Kenya-Uganda border has been plagued by cattle rustling and banditry attacks over the past ten years, which have resulted in fatalities and mass evictions.

But after being made peace with by the leaders of both nations, the two groups decided to coexist.

In Kanyerus, the two groups came together to celebrate the benefits of peace they have experienced over the past 10 years during the peace summit that West Pokot County Senator Julius Murgor hosted.

In his remarks at the security meeting, Murgor stated that he made the decision to bring the two villages together in order to promote peace and prevent livestock rustling.

Natembeya and Kachapin demand that residents be disarmed to stop the rustlingNatembeya and Kachapin demand that residents be disarmed to stop the rustling

He claimed that the two communities had fled because of insecurity, but that they have now begun to return and take part in worthwhile activities.

According to him, members of the two communities have intermarried and their kids are attending the same school.

“As long as leaders continue to preach peace and support education as a means of eradicating poverty, the two groups cannot return to cattle rustling,” he said.

He said, “Both communities have bandits, but it’s not wise to brand all community as bandits or cattle rustlers; instead, they should identify a small number of criminals who are still engaging in the archaic cultural tradition.”

Men Of The KingdomBefore advising the two communities to intermarry in order to lessen hostility, he said that the peace committees already in place had played a significant role in the peace project and had been able to track the stolen animals until they were found.

“The Ugandan government is committed to peace and stability in the region,” according to Soi MP Chemaswet Kisos, as both communities are now sharing resources and traveling across the border to buy goods.

“I’m glad we’ve come together to celebrate peace. After searching for peaceful coexistence for so long, it’s good to finally be able to sit down and recognize the progress Kenya and Uganda have accomplished.” He said.

To encourage intermarriage, Endebess MP Robert Pukose suggested that the two groups lower the cost of dowries.

The huge dowry costs demanded by the elders are preventing guys from getting married. Elders should limit the herd to five cows.

The national government will begin initiatives like building schools, hospitals, roads, and energy to support the area, he added.

The security staff should also step up security, he added, adding that there are only a few spots that are causing instability. As leaders, we can resolve this.

As he pleaded with the two villages to root out bandits who are creating havoc and undermining the peace milestone achieved in the area for the past ten years, Kacheliba Sub County Commissioner Benjamin Kiprop hinted that there has been a 100% recovery of stolen animals in the area.

Both communities and leaders from Uganda and Kenya were present in large numbers for the meeting, which was held at Kanyerus Primary School.

The Standard