By DANIEL PSIRMOI
Members of the Sabaot and Teso communities in Mt Elgon, Bungoma County, have agreed to live peacefully after decades of internal strife.
Efforts by the Mt Elgon District Peace Committee bore fruit on Tuesday after representatives of the two communities signed a peace pact at Chemonge.
Speaking after the meeting, peace monitor Edwin Killong said the signing of the agreement was a culmination of several meetings held in the area.
Among the issues of conflict raised by the Teso residing in the location included marginalisation in resource allocation and leadership.
They cited lack of representation in the local leadership and claimed they were being forced to abandon their culture to embrace that of their neighbours.
Again, they said their youths and old men were being forcefully circumcised.
The Sabaots on the other hand accused their neighbours of religious marginalisation, where they claimed the Teso run the show in the Anglican Church of Kenya.
They pointed out that their children are sidelined in admission to theological colleges sponsored by the church.
“We have today resolved and put an agreement in writing to respect each other’s culture and status quo. The resolutions we passed have the blessings of our communities’ council of elders,” said Andrew Okanyimit, a Teso elder.
It was also agreed that the two sides establish a joint elder’s board in the Anglican Church to look into the issues raised and that the resolutions of the board be forwarded to Archbishop Eliud Wabukala.
