Hundreds of displaced families in Baringo county have been rescued from imminent starvation, thanks to an intervention by the National Council of Churches of Kenya and her partners.The families are victims of the recent inter-ethnic clashes in the region that pitted two neighbouring communities.
The intervention – coordinated by the county government of Baringo- saw the Council and the Kenya Red Cross Society distribute foodstuffs to at least 400 households in Moinonin and Chesesoi villages.
Speaking to Jumuia News, Sibilo location Chief Samuel Kamuren, called for lasting peace in the area as a way of appreciating the gesture. “We’ve truly felt the touch of love from NCCK, this is enough gesture of a friend indeed. We can demonstrate our appreciation of this gesture by maintaining peace,” said the chief when he received the donations on behalf of the victims. His sentiments were echoed by Loyamorok Ward Member of County Assembly Fredrick Chereteikibet who challenged leaders to embrace peace. “I appreciate that NCCK is involving all leaders in the pursuit of peace in this region. I call upon leaders to be on the forefront in embracing peace. Innocent children went without food for many days, we thank NCCK for responding to this need today,” he said.
NCCK’s South Rift Regional Coordinator John Nairuko who was among those who organized the event, said that the distribution exercise provided an important platform for building synergies among well wishers. “It is important to respond to humanitarian needs in times of crisis, but there is greater need to pursue avenues that are more sustainable in resolving such crisis, which could include programs initiated deliberately by the county government with support from development partners tailored towards achieving calm and stability in this porous belt,” he pointed out.
Nairuko called on Church leaders, politicians and other leaders, to demonstrate commitment to peace through their actions.
The exercise was preceded by an inter-community elders forum that was also attended by Church leaders, Chiefs from Pokot and Tugen communities MCAs and other opinion leaders. The forum discussed the role of leaders in achieving sustainable peace and the expectations in times of unrest.
Through the Pamoja Initiative, the Council has carried out various peace campaigns in Baringo in an attempt to pacify the region that has witnessed perennial community rivalries triggered by cattle rustling, disputed boundaries, retrogressive cultural beliefs and political supremacy.
