The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has commenced investigations on violation of human rights in north Rift region especially in counties that are prone to cattle rustling.
Speaking in Kapenguria after meeting with members of county assembly from the county, one of the commissioners Shatikha Chivusia said one of the communities from the region had petitioned that they are not staying in peace with their neighbours.
“One of the communities from the North Rift region had petitioned to the commission that they are not staying in peace with their neighbours and that’s why we are visiting the counties to establish the root cause of the conflicts,” she said.
Chivusia said they had already collected views of the public and were hearing views from the government officers .
“Last month we collected views from the public from all affected regions and now we are collecting views from the duty bearers before compiling our final report,” she said.
She said the commission will be able to produce a preliminary report for North Rift region in three months time.
The commissioner also said they will visit projects that have stalled in the region.
“Most projects in the region have stalled because of insecurity and we shall be able to visit the sites so that we can include possible recommendations in our report,” she said.
After the meeting with members of county assembly the commission headed to Moi Masol primary school along Turkana Pokot border that was stalled for almost twenty years because of cattle rustling.
The school that was funded by the former president Moi was vandalized by cattle rustlers since the area was a battle field.
The school was recently opened by the county government when peace prevailed in the region and has a population of over four hundred students from the two neighboring communities.
Another commissioner, George Morara said the exercise will help end violation of human rights in the region and enable residents live peacefully.
“The commission has decided to focus on this region since its has been greatly affected by insecurity and we want to focus on cause of the conflict and recommend to the government on possible ways of ending the conflict,” he said.
However, majority leader in the county assembly Simon Kalekem told the commission that areas along Turkwel belt need more roads, health facilities, schools and water projects to help sustain peace.
“For the past one year the two communities have stayed in peace and the government should help in setting up the projects to help enhance coexistence,” he said.