The National Cohesion Integration Commission (NCIC) has urged communities at the troubled Kibigori area in Kisumu andNandi counties to coexist peacefully.
NCIC chairman Francis ole Kaparo said communities need to embrace dialogue in case of differences to avoid killing one another. There have been clashes between Nandi and Kisumu counties at Muhoroni occasioned by animal theft.
However, Kibigori residents have blamed clashes on land matters which their counterparts in Nandi are interested to grab from them.
Last week on Friday, clashes on the border between Muhoroni and Tinderet caused the death of five people with 15 people critically injured and destruction of property.
Eight houses were also burnt in Kibigori area living a number of families homeless. Kaparo said leaders should be concerned about the welfare and prosperity of their people. He spoke in Kibigori centre during a peace-building meeting among the local communities on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by Kisumu county commissioner John Elungata, Governor Jack Ranguma, Muhoroni MP Onyango K'Oyoo, top police officers and clan elders.
Kibigori residents presented their grievances to NCIC for action. They demand for a special anti-stock theft unit, reshuffling of senior police officers in the area and issuance of land title deeds to locals in Kibigori farms.
Kaparo cautioned residents, Nandi and Luo communities, against the politics of hatred and incitement that cause conflict.
“We look foolish when we are incited to fight over political issues. Leaders need to give their people hope and not desperation,” Kaparo said.
K’Oyoo said NCIC should partner with counties and political leaders on a peace project to solve boundary conflicts between communities. He said law and order must return in Kibigori adding that ordinary person must be protected by their own government and it’s their right to be provided with security.
He asked NCIC to address the historical injustices in Muhoroni to avoid the killings of innocent lives. K’Oyoo said the violence has scared off investors and business people who have fled the area.
He said that those extending boundary in his constituency by shading blood must be arrested and jailed.
“We want the communities co-exist harmoniously for the sake of peace and economic growth,” the MP said.
K’Oyoo said the commission should work with all counties to enhance peace and reconciliation programmes among communities.