The Reformed Church of East Africa
(RCEA) has urged the government and political leaders to prioritise resolving
persistent insecurity along the Turkana–West Pokot border, where deadly attacks
continue to claim lives.
RCEA cleric and North Rift NCCK vice
chair Rev Samson Akoru said killings and destruction of property remain
common, with cases reported almost every month.
He warned that the unrest has
disrupted learning in schools along the border and stalled key
development activities.
“We must ask ourselves who benefits
or loses from this insecurity. While other Kenyans enjoy peace and development,
we are busy killing ourselves,” Rev Akoru said.
He accused some politicians from
both communities of exploiting the conflict for political gain by inciting
residents or promising to “deal with” rival groups in exchange for votes.
“Security is the government’s
mandate. Politicians should be preaching peace and unity, not using violence
for self-advancement,” he said.
Rev Akoru said the church is
championing dialogue among leaders and communities, urging them to address the root
causes of conflict.
“Our leaders should sit at the
dialogue table and tackle what fuels these clashes,” he said, further calling
for an end to cattle rustling, which he described as primitive and
retrogressive.
The border has witnessed frequent
bandit attacks despite ongoing security operations. Residents have repeatedly
appealed to Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen to intervene.
Kainuk MCA Daniel Aliwo also called
for urgent government action, saying communities around Kainuk are living in
fear as attacks escalate.
“We are calling on the government to
step up surveillance so these bandit attacks are stopped,” Aliwo said.
He urged CS Murkomen to prioritise
the region, similar to efforts in Kerio Valley.
“We have lost several people in recent weeks. There must be deliberate and sustained efforts to end these killings,” he said, adding that leaders are engaging the national government in the search for a lasting solution.
