West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo has dismissed claims that politicians are behind banditry attacks in most parts of the North Rift.
Lonyangapuo said the attacks are as a result of a scarcity of pasture and water and have nothing to do with incitement by politicians.
"I think we are blaming the wrong people..we should stop accusing politicians of covering up an issue when they question what is happening."
The senator said this while contributing to a debate on the President’s State of the Nation address at the Senate on Tuesday.
He faulted the move by President Uhuru Kenyatta to deploy the military to Baringo, Marakwet, and Laikipia.
The officers were sent to the areas to rid them of armed bandits. The legislator said there are better ways to end the deadly fights.
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He called on the state to use the services of reformed cattle rustlers and the clergy to spearhead peace talks among the affected communities.
"We have to use strategies that make sense. We have reformed warriors. We have pastors. Why can’t we use them?" he asked.
The Senator urged the state to concentrate on mitigating the causes of drought before the same leads to inter-ethnic wars.
"We should deal with drought with the same vigour as the one used in matters of drug trafficking, drug barons and other malpractices."
Cornelius Korir of Catholic Diocese of Eldoret on Friday said that only dialogue will end the persistent attacks.
The cleric said the two communities have agreed to dialogue to end the gun battles at Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties.
He said he has already held meetings with members of the Marakwet community but is yet to meet members of the Pokot community.
"I must thank the two communities for agreeing to dialogue except that one group did not show up due to fears of insecurity," Korir said.
"We can’t solve this problem using the gun. We can’t spearhead peace without dialogue," he said.
He called on local leaders to support efforts to restore peace in the volatile Kerio Valley belt.
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