Elgeyo marakwet: Former Cabinet Minister Linah Jebii Kilimo has urged communities living along the Kerio Valley to embrace peace among themselves and with their neighbors. Mrs. Kilimo expressed regret that the region lags in development due to rampant banditry and cattle rustling incidents.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kilimo spoke during a special commemoration service for the late Fr. Allois Cheruiyot Bet in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County, who was killed by bandits last month. She pleaded with the communities along the Kerio Valley to give peace a chance to pave the way for development, emphasizing that progress cannot be achieved without peace and unity. "As people of Kerio Valley, we have suffered for a long time because of insecurity. Let's now forget the past and embrace peace for the sake of development," she urged.
The former Marakwet East MP highlighted the importance of accommodating individuals from other areas who are doing business or working in the region to realize development. Kilimo emphasized the need to avoid labeling individuals as locals or non-locals, reminding the community that everyone is Kenyan and has the right to live and work in any part of the country without fear of attack.
Kilimo commended the efforts of Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Government Coordination, Kipchumba Murkomen, for his initiatives to promote peace in the region. She praised the ongoing security efforts along the Kerio Valley, noting that they are yielding positive results. Kilimo urged the community to support CS Murkomen and show gratitude to the President by living harmoniously among themselves and their neighbors, calling on women in the region to take the lead in advocating for peace and reconciliation.
Kilimo also expressed concern over the suffering of mothers and children due to cattle rustling incidents, highlighting the plight of those forced to flee their homes for safety. "Mothers bear the biggest brunt of cattle rustling incidents, as they have to flee their homes in the valley, carrying their young children and their belongings to safer areas along the escarpments. They are really suffering," she said.
In a collaborative effort, residents are now working with security agencies to combat banditry and cattle rustling, which was noted as a positive development by Kilimo. Additionally, Catholic Bishop of Eldoret Dominic Kimengich called for an end to banditry attacks in Kerio Valley, urging those with illegal arms to surrender them and embrace peace. He stated that the ongoing attacks have not benefited any community and emphasized the need for peace.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor Wisely Rotich also called for concerted efforts to fight insecurity, lamenting the wastage of resources in combating insecurity at the expense of development projects.