Catholic bishops launch peace initiative as guns go silent

Locals told the clerics hosted by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret Dominic Kimengich, that they were ready for dialogue as the guns go silent following a security operation launched earlier this year.

Ambrose Neepe, a reformed bandit from Marsabit, told the bishops, governors and security bosses at the launch that well-known bandits and their commanders were not involved in peace initiatives, and were not arrested.

"Bandits have their commanders, but they are not involved in peace building initiatives," Neepe said.

Daniel Lotou from Kolowa in Baringo County lauded government efforts in restoring calm in Kerio Valley, saying the guns had gone silent for last two months. "I have now taken my children back to school. I am now a peace ambassador trying to reform other bandits. Many bandits have reformed and want peace. We are now pursuing peace, and we thank the church for welcoming them for reconciliation," he said.

He added that the church-led reconciliation meetings should be intensified for business to thrive again. Lotou also called for construction of new schools along the border areas of warring communities to cement coexistence. Bishop John Oballa of Ngong Diocese, who is also chairman of Catholic Justice and Peace Department at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the shurch was ready to start reconciliation.

He cited scarcity of resources, ethnicity, retrogressive cultures and selfish politics for the runaway conflicts.

"Human beings cannot be satisfied with resources, but resources can be enough if shared. Land tenure has been a sources of conflict in the region. Land should be given priority for peace in conflict prone areas. Discrimination and an unequal resource allocation has also been a major problem," Bishop Obala said.

According to the clerics, proliferation of arms was exacerbating the conflicts. Bishop Oballa said deeply entrenched cultures that encourage cattle theft also contribute to the North Rift conflicts.

"On a positive note, there is potential of turning climate change into opportunities through mitigation and resilient initiatives that bring lasting solution," the cleric said.

Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai said counties in the troubled regions had put colossal amounts of money in general infrastructure and in schools, which were deserted following banditry attacks.