Top security chiefs lead talks to end farmers, herders deadly conflicts

A delegation involving top security chiefs from Northeastern and Eastern regions and elders have embarked on a mission to quell clashes and find a lasting solution to the perennial headers and farmers' conflicts.

Herders from Garissa and Tana River looking for water and pasture, have clashed with residents of Kitui whose farms they invade to graze their livestock.

Leaders from Kitui last week embarked on an operation to drive out camel herders following the killing of two residents leading to tension between the two communities.

The mediation team was led by North Eastern regional commissioner James Kianda, Eastern regional commissioner Evans Achoki, Kitui county commissioner Mbogai Rioba,  Garissa county commissioner Boaz Cherutich and other senior security heads from Kitui and Garissa.

They held a meeting in Malalani, Mwingi subcounty in Kitui on Saturday.

Mzee Dubat Ali Amey led the delegation of elders from Garissa.

Among the resolutions arrived at were to immediately cease conflict over water and pasture and embrace peaceful coexistence between Somali herders and Kamba farmers.

It was agreed that headers protect farming lands owned by the host community and never use the lands as grazing zones by the herders.

The peace committee and security apparatus in the area should be aware of the livestock that will be brought before they come over.

Cruelty and forceful evictions of animals from grazing zones must be immediately stopped.

If animals are found to be grazing on farms they should be driven to the nearest police station after which action will be taken against their owners.

In future, there should be a prior agreement between the headers and the farm owners before allowing the animals to graze.

In the next ten days, all the camels that are being grazed in farms in parts of Kitui be immediately removed and moved towards Garissa and Tana River.

It was also agreed that anyone who goes against the laid down resolutions would face the law and action must be taken to avert any further escalation.

Achoki put politicians on notice over incitement in the matter saying that the security team will deal ruthlessly, with any act of lawlessness.

“We will do all that is within our powers to ensure there is peace in our counties. Our people should peacefully coexist with residents during these trying moments,” he said.

Kianda called on the warring parties to set aside their differences and uphold the long-running robust relationship that has existed between the two communities since independence.

He emphasised the need for the peace committees between the two sides to remain active and closely consult between the owners of the animals and the farm owners before the animals are allowed to graze.

He took issue with farm owners who had made it a tendency of taking money from the headers pretending to allow them to graze their animals on their farms only for them to vanish with their money.

This, he said, will not be entertained.

Kianda called on those people living along the border to be responsible and work together to minimise tensions between the two communities and end the unnecessary loss of animal lives and property.

“We cannot start fighting each other now during this prolonged drought that is almost sweeping all our animals. We need to share the little resources and respect the dignity of our strong bond,” Mzee Amey said.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris