Degodia, Garre leaders agree to a ceasefire

Kenya: Leaders from two warring clans in North Eastern have signed an agreement to end the perennial clashes.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Francis ole Kaparo and Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji, who were recently appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to head a committee spearheading peace efforts in the region.

The peace deal between the Degodia and Garre communities in Wajir and Mandera counties also comes less than a week after Mr Kaparo was sworn into office as the National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman.

The leaders signed the agreement to end the fighting during the committee's second meeting.

Ibrahim Hussein, the chairman of the Council of Elders of the Degodia community, and Sheikh Ali Noor, chairman of the Garre community, warned that those who violate the agreement would face sanctions to be prescribed by their respective communities.

"We ask security agents to arrest those propagating violence and have them prosecuted. The leaders as well as this committee will visit the areas affected by the violence and hold talks with the communities," Haji said.

Lasting Solution

He said the committee was committed to making sure a lasting solution was found to the enduring conflict.

"In Islam we say the truth has to be said even when it is bitter and we promise to unearth the truth. If the truth will mean exposing people - be they political or religious leaders - then we will do it," he said.

Kaparo on the other hand thanked Mandera and Wajir leaders for facilitating the committee's first meeting.

"If we cannot allow sport hunting on wild animals in this country, why should we allow sport hunting on human beings? Let us agree on the small issues and quickly move on to the big ones," he added. He said the peace talks would continue.