- Since the beginning of the year, the commission reported that 12 people have lost their lives.
- This includes the killing of Nanyiekie ward MCA Paul Leshimpiro Angata and Kagir Primary School principal Thomas Kibet.
Image: FILE
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has urgently called for decisive measures to end the surge in criminal activities claiming innocent lives in various parts of the North Rift region.
Expressing deep concern over the escalating conflicts that have turned violent, the commission has emphasized the need to protect lives and uphold the rule of law.
In a statement Thursday, the commission's chair Samuel Kobia condemned the criminal acts as he challenged political leaders in the affected regions to take charge by convening meetings aimed at addressing the root causes of the violence.
"We urge the various political leaders at both the National and County Governments to quickly tame these attacks," stated Kobia.
He further appealed to security teams on the ground to engage in dialogue with communities to arrest the perpetrators of these crimes.
Kobia also underscored the commission's commitment to working closely with stakeholders to restore peace in the regions.
He said they are actively monitoring and assessing the prevailing conditions.
Kobia highlighted that the conflicts have not only escalated in the North Rift and Samburu Counties but also in other parts of the country, including Narok-Transmara West, Kisumu-Kericho border, Lamu, Mandera, and Kwale counties.
This, he noted, comes despite the heavy deployment of security officers.
"Indeed, humanity is slowly but surely losing its meaning in a country whose Constitution guarantees the right to life among other rights," he remarked
He acknowledged the profound grief of bereaved families, emphasizing that no amount of apologies could console them.
Kobia at the same time appealed to the armed groups involved to abandon their "retrogressive" approach to conflicts and cease violating the rights of fellow human beings.
Since the beginning of the year, the commission reported that 12 people have lost their lives in attacks by armed criminals in the restive Baringo North and Baringo South regions.
This includes the killing of Nanyiekie ward MCA Paul Leshimpiro Angata and Kagir Primary School principal Thomas Kibet.