Former President Daniel arap Moi calls on Turkana, Pokot communities to embrace peace

Former President Daniel Arap Moi with students from Karenger Boys Secondary School in West Pokot. The students paid him a courtesy call at his home in Kabarak after participating in the just concluded music festival held in Kisumu where they played a Pokot folk song. [PHOTO: DAVID KANDA/STANDARD]

Former President Daniel arap Moi has called on the Turkana and Pokot communities to coexist harmoniously for the sake of  development and prosperity in their regions.

Moi said he understood very well the numerous obstacles that face the two communities and the entire region during his tenure but insisted the solution rests with residents and their leaders.

Speaking at his Kabarak home yesterday, the former Head of State said he would soon visit the region and address peace-related issues involving the two communities and the need for them to solve their differences.

“These are brothers and sisters and the daily confrontations must end. My thoughts are with you every moment and I assure you that the few challenges facing you will soon be sorted out,” he said.

He asked West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo to work with Turkana leaders in bringing the two communities together regardless of their differences related to cattle rustling and boundary disputes.

POLITICAL SUPPORT

“Your senator is the senior most leader in the Pokot community. He should work closely with his Turkana counterpart to unite these people. When I was in office, I enjoyed political support from Turkana, Pokot and Maasai communities; they respect and mean well for their leaders,” said Moi.

Moi, who was addressing students, parents and teachers from Karenger High School in West Pokot when they visited him, asked parents from the pastoral community to educate their children and establish more learning institutions by selling livestock.

“God blessed Turkana and Pokot with livestock. Therefore, I request you to exchange it with knowledge,” he added.

The former President also asked youths to take education seriously by taking advantage of the many available learning institutions established across the country, urging them to remain aggressive and focused in their pursuit of knowledge.

“We expect you to lead this country tomorrow. Learn to be trusted leaders always ready to take their community across the bridge.

“It’s through education in which straightforward leaders are nurtured,” he told the students.

He urged career masters in schools from the region to encourage students to study Geology and Engineering courses in order to assist discover untapped resources in the region that he said was blessed with oil and other quality minerals that has the potential in transforming their home counties.

“Such specialists would make careers in the exploitation of the plentiful oil and precious metals in the region. For years, our people have been sitting on gold unaware,” said Moi.

The students, who were led by Lonyangapuo, were among the top performers during the recently concluded Kenya Music festivals held at Kisumu.

Moi also commended the school for leading West Pokot County schools in Mathematics and Physics.

The students performed some of the dances they had presented during the just-ended music festival.