Residents of Chesogon area along West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties are living in fear following a series of cross-border attacks that have hit the area. Locals say criminals from the Pokot and Marakwet communities have caused havoc in the area, and cattle rustling has been the order of the day.
Area chief Julius Matala said locals are forced to live in caves as they fear surprise attacks by militias.
Matala said the road network that connects the two counties has been blocked off, leading to huge losses being incurred by mango farmers since they cannot transport their farm produce to the market.
“There is still tension along the border after more than 300 cattle were stolen by our neighbours .There is a lot of suspicions but the government has deployed enough officers to man the border,” he said.
Residents of Chesogon have been victims of insecurity between Baringo and Marakwet Counties, with the latest events greatly affecting socio-economic activities in the area.
Speaking during a peace meeting at Cheptulel centre, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin called on leaders to work together to ensure there is sustainable peace along the borders while he urged the government to act on leaders inciting residents against each other.
“The peace process is a delicate process and with regard to that, I urge all security organs to work closely with local leaders,” he said.
The County boss who distributes Relief food, blankets, and other food items to cushion the residents from effects of insecurity, said there is a need for leaders to urgently address the menace.
Kachapin said most of the projects being implemented along the border have stalled due to insecurity. “Construction of a technical college has stopped due to insecurity, everyone lives in fear here due to attacks, this is a sad situation,” he said.
However, he pointed out that elected leaders from West Pokot, Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties are working closely with the Ministry of Interior to ensure there is a peaceful coexistence among the neighbouring communities.
He said the leaders are planning a one-week peace caravan to engage with residents and preach peace along the border. “We want to go to the grassroots to listen to our people and get to the root cause of this problem. We want to get the solution from the people.”
Pokot Council of Elders Chairman John Mwok said elders from the three counties have started discussions on how to solve the dispute between the communities.
He said they want to sign an elaborate memorandum of understanding that will guide conflict resolution among the communities. “We cannot allow our people to continue fighting because we want development to reach every corner of our County.”