MPs, NCIC broker fresh ceasefire deal in Samburu and Turkana conflict

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa (foreground, left) leaves a peace meeting with Senator Isaac Melly of Uasin Gishu County (foreground, right). In the background nominated senators Naisula Lesuuda (left) and Agnes Zani (right) celebrate the deal. The meeting to broker a deal was held at the Sportsman Arms Hotel in Nanyuki on June 21, 2015. [PHOTO: ALPHONCE SHIUNDU/STANDARD]

NANYUKI: The warring Turkana and Samburu communities within Samburu County late Sunday signed a ceasefire agreement to stop cattle-rustling.

The deal came as Samburu governor Moses Lenolkulal and MPs Maison Leshoomo (Samburu), Alois Lentoimaga (Samburu North) and Naisula Lesuuda (nominated senator) called on the national government to beef up security in the volatile area where cattle raiders killed over 40 policemen two years ago.

Addressing over 100 leaders drawn from Turkana and Samburu communities in a Nanyuki hotel, the governor said the "labelling" of the conflict between the two communities was allowing impunity and crime to go on untamed.

"I insist on the rule of law. Murder is being committed, but no one is getting arrested. We need a show of force so that the leaders and the people involved can stop this impunity," said Lenolkulal at the meeting attended by Rift Valley's Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa.

Prior to the ceasefire deal, the parliamentary committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity, led by Johnson Sakaja (nominated) joined the National Cohesion and Integration Commission in calling for a ceasefire.

Sakaja and the NCIC chairman Francis ole Kaparo insisted on "enforceable consequences" for any community that breaks the ceasefire.

"You have spoken honestly about the marginalization, insecurity and the bad politics in your county. Those are issues that can be dealt with... The first duty for the government is to protect the people and provide security. Let the ceasefire and peace hold," said Sakaja.

The chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Administration and National Security Asman Kamama pledged to support the peace process.

Sen. Naisula Lesuuda, a Samburu, pleaded with the over 100 leaders from the county including the governor and members of the County Assembly to "drop their guns even for a week" to allow the county and national governments to address the grievances of the Turkana community which is a minority in the vast county that is a cattle rustling hotspot.

Naisula faced the Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa and told him that the disarmament should not target one community.

"There are those who are for disarmament and those who are not. We are all served in the same office. Are these administrators trying to set us up against each other? Can the government just issue one message," said Sen. Naisula.

There were 17 MPs who attended the meeting where he communities were engaged in a frank, emotional but calm exchange in the first face-to-face meeting in recent weeks between the two ethnic communities that have been fighting for decades in retaliatory attacks over cattle theft.

The Turkana leaders at the meeting complained that they were marginalized in the county because nearly all the jobs were taken up by ethnic Samburus. They also complained that they had been excluded politically as their participation was somewhat limited to one corner ward in the vast county.

"Oppression, subjugation and inequality is a recipe for conflict. It is hardly a condition of peace," said Sam Kona, a peace advocate from the Turkana Community.

But Samburu leaders Alois Lentoimaga and Maison Leshoomo told the Turkana leaders that they should consult the elected leaders within Samburu County instead of seeking help from their kinsmen from Turkana County just across the Suguta Valley.

But Sam Kona warned that the Samburu leaders were making unilateral decisions that were biased against the Turkana community's interest.

"We are in Samburu by right. We are not going anywhere so we must work together," said Kona.

Lentoimaga, who is also the vice chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Administration and National Security said the government should intervene to make sure the ceasefire holds and whoever breaks it must be arrested and jailed.

"I love Turkanas. I married your daughter. Let's be civil. Let's stop the fighting," said Lentoimaga.

The NCIC chairman Francis ole Kaparo said the government was committed to make sure the ceasefire holds.

The entourage had MPs Elijah Memusi, Agnes Zani, Zipporah Kering, Isaac Melly, Mohammed Elmy, Grace Kipchoim, Henry ole Ndiema and Lelelit Lati.