Nairobi: More than 30 families who had fled their homes recently in Matigari village, Mutara location in Laikipia County, due to tribal clashes have been urged to return and rebuild their lives. Laikipia County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha, speaking at a public baraza in Matigari Primary and Junior School to address the dispute between a section of the Samburu and Turkana communities in the area, assured residents that peace had been restored.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kyatha stated that a dialogue had been held between the two conflicting communities. The agreement includes the resumption of studies for children with government assurances of their protection. Kyatha emphasized that the school will be under police surveillance to ensure uninterrupted learning and mentioned that efforts are underway to recover stolen cattle.
David Chesang, a peace elder in Laikipia, noted that discussions between the Samburu and Turkana communities are ongoing with an aim to find a lasting solution. He highlighted that the county had experienced peace for the past three years, describing the conflict as an isolated incident.
Wilson Lemoi, a resident, expressed commitment to living in harmony following the dialogue to end the conflict, emphasizing the importance of ensuring children's access to education. Lemoi urged the affected families to return to their homes and collaborate with the community to rebuild their lives.
The conflict was sparked on June 3 when two men from the Samburu community visited Matigari village to purchase khat, leading to a scuffle that resulted in the deaths of two youths and the burning of several houses. Victims reported losing essential documents, including birth certificates and title deeds, in the fires, and have sought refuge at a Baptist church in Rumuruti town.
The government has provided relief food and non-food items, such as mattresses and iron sheets, to the families affected by the ethnic clashes.