West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has put in place measures to ensure that border disputes, and insecurity along neighboring Counties of West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo are eradicated.
In the recent weeks, banditry and cattle rustling have resurfaced in the region leading to loss of lives, residents displaced and development projects affected.
Speaking while handing over motorbikes to peace actors at
Lomut centre, Governor John Lonyangapuo said the bikes will help
aid movement for the peace actors along the border.
Lonyangapuo said peace actors and elders are always ready to help in
solving the conflicts along the border before they occur but they are
unable to move. “The motorbikes will aid the elders in movement along the border to ensure that the communities live in peace,” he said.
He said the motorbikes will be stationed at Samplomoi, Akiriamet and
Akulo along the West Pokot-Turkana border.
The County boss asked the government through the Ministry of Interior to issue motor bikes to peace actors from the two Counties as
it had initially promised.
He asked the elders to use the motorbikes for the intended purposes
to help in uniting the communities.
Lonyangapuo also asked Governors from the North Rift region to unite
and foster peace to help in ending cattle rustling. “Cattle rustling has hindered development in this region for a very long time and yet we have enough resources that can help in opening up this region. I urge my counterparts to foster peace and we bring to an end cattle rustling menace,” he said.
Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong asked the peace actors to
use the motorbikes to help solve conflicts before occurring. “Let’s use these bikes to facilitate your movement to make sure that you talk to youths before they engage in any raid,” he said.
Lochakapong also asked residents from Turkana and Pokot communities
not to engage in any form of conflict right now because of the drought
that has hit the region.