KENYA: Community Leaders Call on Catholic Church to Extend Peace Interventions to Other Parts of Kerio Valley
Samwel Abesi and Morline Olala – Kitale Diocese
For over 20 years now, the Catholic Dioceses of Kitale and Eldoret have led the Pokot and Marakwet communities living in Kapsait- Lelan border of the counties of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot in celebrating a yearly peace Mass on the 1st day of January, to encourage peaceful coexistence of the ethnic groups of people in these two counties and the entire Kerio Valley.
The Pokots and Marakwets have continually engaged in inter-community clashes for decades now even though they are neighboring communities. Cattle rustling is always faulted as the major course of these altercations which have led to loss of countless lives and property- probably due to lack of effective communal as well as political solutions. The Catholic Church has been on the forefront in fostering peace and reconciling these communities during such conflicts for more than two decades.
On the New Year day for 2022, Kitale and Eldoret Dioceses organized a joint Mass at its usual venue-the Kapsait Catholic church grounds which is approximately 112 kilometres from Eldoret town, and 98 kilometers from Kapenguria town which is the West Pokot county headquarters. Kitale Diocese covers Transnzoia and West Pokot counties with West Pokot predominantly inhabited by the Pokot community while the Marakwet Community are inhabitants of Elgeyo Marakwet county which together with Uasin-Gishu county form Eldoret Diocese.
This is the reason why the two dioceses hold the Mass jointly. The two Bishops take turns in officiating the Mass and this year was Bishop Maurice Anthony Crowley of Kitale’s turn, assisted by Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Eldoret and priests from the two dioceses.
Religious leaders from other denominations who attended include Bishop David Kipsoi of African Inland Church-Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The yearly Peace Mass which was initiated by the late Bishop Cornelius Korir and Bishop Crowley has increasingly gained popularity and acceptance among both the communities, with its members attending in larger numbers each year. This year, community members including those living in villages within the Marakwet and West Pokot hills attended in large numbers. Community as well as political leaders from both sides led by Governor Alex Tolgos of Elgeyo Marakwet and his deputy Wesley Rotich, Governor John Lonyangapuo of West Pokot County, retired Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinet among others also attended.
In his homily, Bishop Crowley stressed the importance of maintaining peace amongst all the people irrespective of ethnic lines. He challenged each family to properly understand and undertake its responsibility in fostering peace in the community just as it was with the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
The peace mass that lasted for about four hours recognized the efforts of Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) in fostering peace in these two counties, the Catholic Church as a whole, and the contributions of Bishop Crowley and Bishop Kimengich that continue to bear fruits of peace in the boarder of the two communities.
