Kacheliba MP asks warring communities to embrace peace

Kacheliba MP Mark Lomuokol has challenged warring Pokot and Turkana communities to embrace traditional moral values that will foster peace among them and shun hostilities that have led to loss of lives and property.

Mr Lomunokol regretted that many innocent lives have been lost along the volatile Turkwel border of the two semi-arid counties through anti-social acts including banditry and raids fuelled by communal hostilities.

He asked communities living in the region to shun the negative vices and instead engage in more productive work that would lead to economic growth.

shun hostilities

"We are calling on the communities that live along the West Pokot and Turkana counties border to shun hostilities among them and instead embrace peace so that development can be realised," he said.

Mr Lomunokol called on leaders representing the communities and the elders to lead from the front in fostering peace among their people.

The Kacheliba legislator who was speaking in Loriongot in Pokot North region during a peace meeting said there was need for concerted efforts in curbing the vice.

He asked the communities to shun outdated traditional practices, adding that it was only through peaceful coexistence that they can get at par with other regions that are ahead in development.

Uganda has disarmed the Karamoja thus eradicating cattle rustling in the region and has liaised with the neighbouring countries of South Sudan and Ethiopia for a possible regional disarmament of all pastoralists at the borders.

Residents from both counties have on several occasions clashed over prolonged cattle rustling that has stirred up conflict between them.