- They said NPR to be stationed at a strategic area which has been used by bandits after committing heinous crimes.
- The cohesion team and stakeholders spent the better part of the day with local community elders to unravel the root causes of insecurity in the region.
Marsabit elders have appealed to the government to reinstate National Police Reservists to assist security agencies in intensifying security and provide support on perennial banditry attacks.
Speaking at a public Baraza organized by the county department of cohesion and stakeholders on Friday at Badasa, the elders decried that security officers were not available in large numbers to maintain security.
"We are here in Badasa for community dialogue as people who want peace on the border between Badasa and Songa. We want to get a solution to the recurrent insecurity that has affected everyone," said one of the elders
They said NPR to be stationed at a strategic area which has been used by bandits after committing heinous crimes.
The cohesion team and stakeholders spent the better part of the day with local community elders to unravel the root causes of insecurity in the region.
Rapid Plus program officer Mariam Gufu urged the elder to collaborate with the security department and even hold talks with the people on the negative effects of insecurity.
She said community elders command a lot of respect and influence that can be used to engender positive behavioural changes in the respective community.
"I believe that the community elders have solutions and we need to enhance their capacity and support them to maintain peace in society." Said Mariam
Mariam said she is convinced that lasting peace can return if elderly people speak to the young people about peace.
"Traditional leaders play a vital leadership role in their community. We can all agree that community elders have historically been effective mediators and adjudicators in their community by implementing positive traditional forms of peace-making and conflict resolution," she said
Mariam stressed that the youth should be taught to use their energy for productive activities and not to raid and attack other communities.
She called for the participation of youth to improve peace and capacity building to enhance response to conflict resolutions.
She challenged young people to be the engine that drives peace and development in the county, saying meaningful participation of the youth in peace and security is fundamental to achieving a cohesive, peaceful and secure society.
"Steps should be taken to facilitate meaningful youth participation in peace and security interventions. Youth participation has shown to be a critical element for the achievement of sustainable peace, security and development," she said
Principal cohesion and disaster management Roba Godana said the county government under the leadership of Governor Mohamud Ali is a strong supporter of the peace and security agenda.
Godana said they will continue to empower the youth and the elders in its quest for peace in the region.
He called on the youth to shun violence and embrace peace and unity for sustainable development.
"Our youths must wake up to the fact that they are the nation's builders and not destroyers and have a role to play," he said
He pointed out that a system is being set up for the youth in order to be part of the peace-building activities.
"Peace and harmonious coexistence remain an indispensable catalyst to meaningful development. Lack of peace retards socio-economic advancement," said Roba
He revealed that the commercialization of cattle raiding has been a contributing factor in causing insecurity in the region.
Community elder and former Sagante Jaldesa ward MCA Adan Chukulisa hailed the county government and FH for organizing a community dialogue, noting that elders play a vital role in promoting peaceful coexistence in the community.
"Reconciliation is essential because of the conflicts raging from tribal conflict and cattle rustling, which requires amicable mechanisms to resolve these issues," he said
He urged the government to double its efforts to counter insecurity and incorporate community elders in peace-building initiatives, saying there is a need to end the hatred that undermined development in the region.
He added that elders need to curse the perpetrators of the vices, maintaining that nothing will defeat the elders in spearheading peace.
The Borana Council of Elders have pledged to support government peace and security initiatives and resolve to end communal conflicts with their neighbours.
The elders regretted that conflicts over pastures and the culture of cattle rustling has caused loss of lives, and destruction of property and fueled poverty in the region.
More than 200 people have been killed and many others displaced from their homes, with hundreds of livestock stolen in the past tribal clashes in Marsabit.