KENYA: Catholic Bishops ask the Government to Disarm All Civilian in Turkana and Pokot Counties
The Catholic
Bishop of Lodwar Diocese Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich and Catholic Bishop of
Kitale Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley have asked the government to disarm all
civilians in the North Eastern Kenya where cases of violence and insecurity
have escalated.
|
| Bishop of Lodwar, Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich |
In their
statement issued together with the Bishop Chairman of Justice and Peace
Commission of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth,
Archbishop of Kisumu, on Wednesday 27, this year, the Bishops also requested
the government to immediately deploy adequate and well equipped security
personnel, with transport means to cover the area of Pokot and Turkana People,
which are greatly affected.
statement issued together with the Bishop Chairman of Justice and Peace
Commission of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth,
Archbishop of Kisumu, on Wednesday 27, this year, the Bishops also requested
the government to immediately deploy adequate and well equipped security
personnel, with transport means to cover the area of Pokot and Turkana People,
which are greatly affected.
The two Bishops whose
dioceses are the home of the Pokot and Turkana people said in their statement
that they were extremely upset and troubled by the recent violence on the
common border between the Turkana and West Pokot counties.
dioceses are the home of the Pokot and Turkana people said in their statement
that they were extremely upset and troubled by the recent violence on the
common border between the Turkana and West Pokot counties.
“The Pokot –
Turkana conflict in the Turkwell corridor has been one of the most protracted
and intractable conflicts in the post independent Kenya with varied actors
involved along the over 300kilometers stretch. The conflict affects over seven
(7) districts including: Turkana South, Turkana East, East Pokot, Loima, Pokot
North, Pokot Central and West Pokot,” the statement said.
Turkana conflict in the Turkwell corridor has been one of the most protracted
and intractable conflicts in the post independent Kenya with varied actors
involved along the over 300kilometers stretch. The conflict affects over seven
(7) districts including: Turkana South, Turkana East, East Pokot, Loima, Pokot
North, Pokot Central and West Pokot,” the statement said.
Bishop Kimengich
said that the conflict is being fuelled by shrinking pasture lands, water,
cattle rustling and now the discovery of natural resources including oil and
lime. The communities also have a dispute over the ownership of Turkwell Power
Generating station.
said that the conflict is being fuelled by shrinking pasture lands, water,
cattle rustling and now the discovery of natural resources including oil and
lime. The communities also have a dispute over the ownership of Turkwell Power
Generating station.
Due to the
protracted conflict, the community in the area have acquired arms. The weapons
are being used to raid, kill, and maim innocent citizens; men, women and
children. As a result, the Bishops suggested several drastic measures to be
taken by the government and people concerned.
protracted conflict, the community in the area have acquired arms. The weapons
are being used to raid, kill, and maim innocent citizens; men, women and
children. As a result, the Bishops suggested several drastic measures to be
taken by the government and people concerned.
Apart from
asking the government to deploy adequate and well equipped security personnel,
with transport means to cover the area and to disarm all the civilians in the
area; they also suggested that the road network be opened up to enable easy
access to the areas in west Pokot and Turkana especially the road that connects
Kitale and Lodwar.
asking the government to deploy adequate and well equipped security personnel,
with transport means to cover the area and to disarm all the civilians in the
area; they also suggested that the road network be opened up to enable easy
access to the areas in west Pokot and Turkana especially the road that connects
Kitale and Lodwar.
They also
suggested that the leaders who are involved and inciting the communities should
bear personal responsibility and that the government should help the two
counties to come to an agreement on the contested boundaries of Turkana and
West Pokot. The Bishops also suggested that revenue generated out of the
Turkwell Project should benefit both the Turkana and West Pokot County.
suggested that the leaders who are involved and inciting the communities should
bear personal responsibility and that the government should help the two
counties to come to an agreement on the contested boundaries of Turkana and
West Pokot. The Bishops also suggested that revenue generated out of the
Turkwell Project should benefit both the Turkana and West Pokot County.
While praying
for an amicable solution, the Bishops said that the Church is ready and willing
to mediate the peace and reconciliation dialogue between the leaders of the
counties.
for an amicable solution, the Bishops said that the Church is ready and willing
to mediate the peace and reconciliation dialogue between the leaders of the
counties.
Source:
Waumini Communications -KCCB
Waumini Communications -KCCB
