National Cohesion and Integration Commission to name leaders behind ethnic violence in Kenya

National Cohesion and Intergration Commission chairman Francis ole Kaparo address Proffesionals from the bleeding North Eastern Province at Serena Hotel Nairobi 28/05/15 [PHOTO/MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the joint Parliamentary Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities will table in Parliament the names of politicians sponsoring conflict in the country.

Speaking during a peace meeting held at Rangeland Hotel to reconcile members of Samburu and Turkana communities in Isiolo County, the commission condemned the politicians sponsoring armed violence and promoting hatred between various ethnic groups in the pastoralist areas.

NCIC promised to publicly reveal the names of the politicians behind ethnic killings after thorough investigations conducted jointly with the security agencies.

The commission will also compile and table in Parliament names of security personnel culpable of non-responsiveness and dereliction of duty.

"The country is collapsing from the seams. We cannot continue to be captives of politicians and war lords perpetrating robbery with violence in the name of cattle rustling," said NCIC Chairman Francis ole Kaparo.

SUSTAINABLE PEACE

"What law says politicians should not be charged in a court of law for leading armies and militias subverting the law? And why should police officers who are sleeping on the job continue to earn from the public coffers?" Posed Kaparo.

The commission emphasised it is impossible to achieve cohesion and integration in a state of lawlessness and insecurity. "Unless runaway insecurity and terrorism is tackled as matter of urgency, we will not achieve sustainable peace. Security agencies must resume their authority and bear their teeth to salvage the country from the throes of insecurity," said Linda Ochiel, a commissioner with the NCIC.

Inequitable distribution of county resources, competition of scarce resources, cattle rustling and incitement by the politicians have been cited as the underlying causes of conflicts.

The commission is working with councils of elders, religious leaders, civil society organisations and security agencies to mediate a series of ethnic, clan and religious conflicts in at least 15 counties in the country.

The Commission is also working using 'soft' power approaches to contain violent extremism and radicalisation in Kwale, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Mombasa counties.