West Pokot residents held a peace meeting yesterday. They said they have enjoyed peace with their Turkana neighbours for a year.
Governor Simon Kachapin urged the national government to start projects to improve residents’ livelihoods. Residents said most cattle rustlers have reformed and have found alternative sources of income. Pokot and Turkana residents have had a boundary dispute characterised by cattle rustling and killings for years. He is on a two-day tour of projects.
Pokot elder Joseph Koril said, “We now have peace and you cannot hear the sound of guns anymore. No one should fear coming to visit the county.” The residents urged KenGen and the Kerio Valley Development Authority to revive their projects and hire locals.
Most facilities at the Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station have been abandoned for years due to insecurity. Animals can sometimes be seen roaming around the plant.
Kachapin urged the national government to partner with the county and start projects.
Kachapin urged the Turkana and Pokot communities to maintain peace. “Peace has now returned in this area and we call on the government to educate and empower reformed warriors to have alternative means of livelihood. This will help give them a new lease of life,” he said.
Kachapin said peace caravans have been successful. Children have returned to school and farmers are back to herding.
“This is the right time for our government to start gainful projects in this village. We have peace but our people are languishing in poverty,” he said.