Peace consultative talks in the counties of Samburu, Laikipia and Isiolo, resumed on Thursday led by three Maa governors under Governor Joseph Ole Lenku’s chairmanship.
The talks, which are a continuation of a series of meetings that started in Nanyuki two weeks ago, are aimed at ending years of clashes between the Samburu, people of Laikipia and Isiolo.
It emerged during the last meeting that the Maa clans in the Upper Eastern region have been fighting over resources such as grazing areas and water sources.
The Maa governors led by Lenku, include Patrick Ntutu (Narok), and Lati Ole Lelelit (Samburu).
They are negotiating a strenuous relationship between their clansmen in Laikipia, Isiolo and Samburu. The governors will be joined by Maa MPs from Narok, Kajiado, Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo.
In a short brief at the start of the peace meeting, two weeks ago, Lenku said: “ As the spokesman of the Maasai community, I stand united with my esteemed counterparts. We have convened for a vital peace consultation meeting.”
Lenku said the teams from Kajiado and Narok that are arbitrating the peace meeting between Isiolo, Laikipia and Samburu are accompanied by teams of legislators from the four counties.
“We are engaging in critical discussions on matters of utmost importance. The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members towards one another,” said Lenku.
He went on: “We must be our brother’s keepers. Our diversity is perhaps our strongest asset, but in the past, it has been used as a fulcrum for divisive politics and marginalisation. Let us persist in our collaborative efforts to forge a prosperous future for our communities.”
On Thursday, Lenku joined Governor Lelelit, former national assembly speaker Francis Kaparo, and Governor Ntutu for the peace consultative meeting in Kipsing, Isiolo County.
They are leading a team of MPs from the Maa Nation.
Lenku said on Thursday: “Even as we listen to all parties, we are keen to deal with the causal root of the conflicts between our brothers to ensure that such matters do not instigate related conflicts in the future.”
He added: “Oneness will only be actualised when we uproot the seed of discord, and sow the seed of harmony.”
Lenku further said the leaders leading the talks will emphasise the necessity of mutual coexistence between the people of the Upper Eastern region and the urgency of creating proper channels of conflict management and communication whenever any misunderstandings arise.
“Our clarion call to our brothers in the region is that peace, harmony and brotherhood are the marks of humanity,” added Lenku.
Ntutu said the Maa awakening is a reality, adding that the community’s leadership has one resolve of forming economic growth through culture, livestock entrepreneurship and conservation of their flora and fauna.
He said the future of devolution is strong and guaranteed by the strength and vitality of regional economic blocs.
