The warring Pokot and Marakwet communities on Saturday made a peace pact and came up with resolutions in a bid to calm animosity among the two communities in the Kerio valley area.
Leaders from the two communities who have been having a peace caravan for the last three days held a joint meeting at the troubled Chesegon area along the border of the two Counties.
The area has experienced protracted attacks, killings, schools closures, displacements leading to a lack of development for the last five years.
In their resolutions, the leaders and communities reconciled, promised to start a new chapter and agreed to open Chesegon trading center on 31st which has been closed and deserted due to banditry attacks.
The leaders led by Marakwet East Member of parliament Kangogo Bowen, Sigor member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong, Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi, Elgeyo Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen and former Inspector General David Kimayo warned the few criminals causing havoc in the area saying their days are numbered.
The leaders said that the peace initiative will continue to help boost businesses and shun cattle rustling menace in the area.
Senate Majority leader who is also the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen lauded the peace initiative saying that area residents are tired of conflict.
Murkomen said West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet County Assemblies will come up with laws to manage livestock selling business and branding of animals to curb cattle theft.
Murkomen called on the West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Governors and the National government to set aside funds for development projects in hot spot areas. “We shall start joint saccos for youths to improve their livelihood,” he said.
Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong called on area residents to maintain peace. “We will deal with anyone against the peace agreement deal,” he said.
He said they are ready to open businesses to improve the economy of the area. “We shall reopen Chesegon primary, Cheptuolel Girls, Cheptulel Boys so that learners from the Marakwet side come back and continue constructing Chesegon Technical Training college that has stalled,” said Lochakapong.
Kapseret member of Parliament Oscar Sudi who hails from the area said all criminals should be arrested, “They should rot in the jail. We will collect and burn all illegal firearms,” he said.
