Deserted Loiyangalani town following series of gunfire exchange in the area witnessed on Sunday. Photo: Wambaz Lewamba Facebook.
Four Communities living in Loiyangalani Sub County in Marsabit County have come into an agreement to end their enmity and live in peace.
The peace declaration followed a meeting between security agencies, and the community elders from Elmosaretu, consisting of Elmolo, Samburu, Rendile and Turkana communities, living in Loiyangalani.
During the meeting, a committee of peace was formed to ensure that the four communities promote calls of peace and harmony in the area. Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the elders emphasized the need of the communities to embrace peace.
Many business in the area and Loiyangalani town remain closed, following a shootout that left Loiyangalani OCS with leg injury involving raiders from Samburu.
“”Peace will only be found if residents and community agree to maintain peace. Currently our schools are closed, business have gone down as there is no entrance of goods in the area, and people are living in fear, if we do not actualize the committee’s call on peace, not even the security officers will help us bring the peace,” an elder remarked.
Additionally, Stephen Nakeno, one of the elders agreed to report any suspicions events around the area to security agencies in the county, a call that had earlier been made to residents by Deputy County Commissioner Stanley Kimanga.
“We have agreed to live in peace, and not allow outsiders to come and ruin the existing peace that we have enjoyed for years, also the elders have agreed on providing information to police officers, so that we can restore peace,” Nakeno reinforced.
Naftaly Kara, a youth from the region called on his fellow youths to stop further incitement on social media platforms, that could escalate the hatred and tension further among the worrying communities.
According to Kimanga, the formed committee will ensure that all visitors arriving in Loiyangalani have been identified, to avoid insecurity cases and come up with strategies to end the communities fight on feeding and waterpoints for their livestock.
“We have formed a peace committee to ensure that the declaration made by the elders have been implemented, while ensuring that no new person is allowed in the area before they are identified and information relied to local leaders and security agencies in the county. They should also come up with strategies on how to solve the major challenge of feeding points,” Kimanga confirmed.
The committee is expected to meet hold a meeting involving members from the communities in Loiyangalani, which is expected to be chaired by the county Senator Mohamed Chute, and a delegation of leaders from the Senate.
