By Allan Kisia and Robert Wanyonyi

For a long time they ran away from the sound of gunfire or attackers.

But at the weekend, residents of Mt Elgon ran in harmony with a smile on their faces — for peace.

For people who have been at war with each other in the last two years, it was amazing to see them run, sing and dance together.

Winnie Chebet, 16, and Sylvia Chemtai, 14, participated in the girls’ 10km race and emerged first and second.

Kaptama team in a tug-of-war against Kenya Red Cross Society Volunteers during sports to promote peace and reconciliation at Kapsokwony at the weekend. Photo: Benjamin Sakwa /Standard

The two, who are pupils at Kaboywo Primary School in Kaptama Division, say they were amazed to see different communities participate in the event.

"We are from the Ndorobo clan but we have mingled freely with our former rivals, the Soi clan," said Chemtai. Mr Cleophas Kaan, their coach, says the event targeted young people, as their minds are not corrupted by self-centred politicians and leaders.

"We want to reach out to young people and encourage them to live with each other peacefully," he said.

Suspicion, distrust and scepticism melted as communities from the four divisions in the district mingled and talked freely.

This was at a peace run organised by the Kenya Red Cross Society for Mt Elgon residents to celebrate the return of normalcy in the region.

Other events included traditional songs and dancing competitions.

Participants included local leaders, among them MP Fred Kapondi, councillors and the Provincial Administration. Youth Affairs and Sports Assistant Minister Kabando wa Kabando also graced the occasion attended by thousands of residents at Kapsokwony.

"We are burying the ghost that disturbed us in the last two years. The atrocities, mayhem and displacement are now a thing of the past," said Mr Kapondi.

The MP participated in a tug-of-war where his team was defeated by Mr Kabando’s.

Also in attendance was Prof Wilson Lang’at, the Secretary for Sports in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Mr P K Birech, an official of Red Cross. Birech said sports should be used to heal the wounds and promote cohesiveness.

"Sports can do wonders, especially to people who have been traumatised by clashes like is the case here in Mt Elgon," he said.

insurgency

The winding roads on the slopes of the agriculturally rich mountain have since witnessed the return of residents who had fled two years ago to evade attacks by the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) militia.

About 40,000 people took off from the district at the height of the SLDF insurgency that claimed 600 lives and left thousands homeless.

Winners and losers embraced each other after the competitions.