Calls for peace took centre stage at the 10th
anniversary of the Marsabit plane crash, leaders saying it is the only way to honour politicians who were killed.
Several leaders travelling from Nairobi to Marsabit for a northern Kenya peace conference
died in the plane crash on April 10, 2006.
Among the victims were
Guracha Galgalo (Moyale), Bonaya Godana (North Horr), Abdi Sasura (Saku) and Titus Ngoyoni (Laisamis).
Others were Abdullahi Adan (East African Legislative Assembly) and former Assistant Minister Mirugi Kariuki (Nakuru).
Marsabit Governor Ukur Yatani asked residents to reconcile and pursue development. He said county leaders resolved to jointly
ensure all communities live in peace and unity.
“Today
is a special day. We remember our loved ones who lost their lives trying to improve the living standards of our people," said Yatani.
"They perished not because they had done anything wrong but while trying to put in place structures to facilitate peaceful co-existence between our communities."
National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale and Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro urged residents to maintain peace and support the initiatives the leaders who died had been pursuing.
Duale said: “People say you can choose a friend but not your neighbour. It is God who placed the Rendille, Gabra, Borana, Burji
and all other Kenyans in Marsabit. You cannot remove any of them from here."
Ethuro challenged locals to emulate the leaders who were killed, learn to co-exist and forge ahead with the county's development.
“The deaths of our leaders should be a lesson for us to spread the message of peace in Marsabit and Kenya in general,” he said.
Duale and Ethuro commended the county's leaders on efforts to integrate all communities, saying without peace no tangible development can be realised.
NCIC chairman Francis ole
Kaparo, who has been in the forefront of championing peace in the region said:
“I pray that you never again follow that destructive path of killing one another."
Other leaders who spoke said they were tired of killings and empty talk, adding it is time for people from all tribes in Marsabit to shun hatred and unite for the sake of peace.
They said the killed leaders showed them the right path to follow.
Among those who spoke were
Senator Godana Hargura and all of the county's MCAs who asked residents not to fall prey to tribal politics.