Leaders from West Pokot County have appealed for peace in the neighboring counties of West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Samburu, in the NorthRift region.
The leaders called for unity among leaders of the North Rift region and asked political leaders to stop inciting communities in region.
Speaking in Makutano Primary school during the Mashujaa day celebrations, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said that area leaders should embrace dialogue and work together for development to be realized in the region.
“Leaders should shun uttering words that can lead to conflict,” he said.
He said that area leaders from the North Rift had a peace caravan last year in the area to preaching peace in hot spots.
Kachapin said that as a county they are not ready to see bloodshed in the region after conflicting communities decided to coexist.
Kachapin said that national and county governments had used a lot of funds to ensure the communities live in peace.
“We as elected leaders we will not accept few leaders to disrupt peace because of their own selfish interests,” he said.
He said that some leaders from the region want to disrupt the current peace by inciting a certain community for their own political gain.
Kachapin said most counties in North Rift were marginalized and this is the time to develop the region and show residents the right path.
The county boss said that in this era of devolution residents should not vote for leaders who don’t want to spearhead development. “For many years since independence we have been lagging behind in development and this is the time we should pull resources together to ensure we open up this county,” he said.
Kachapin urged residents not to vote for leaders who incite them to fight with their neighbors but they should vote wisely for leaders who are in for peace and development.
West Pokot county commissioner Apollo Okello called for unity among leaders citing that the national government will work together with the county government to oversee development.