Governors in the North Rift region have signed a commitment to jointly work for the restoration of peace and unity among communities affected by banditry in the region.
The county chiefs adopted key resolutions on peace and development for the region where a KDF-backed security operation is on to restore calm and silence frequent gunfire by bandits that has led to death and destruction in the recent past.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya hosted the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) peace summit in Kitale.
Natembeya said they decided to own the peace initiatives in the region and help communities emerge from banditry.
“As governors we have agreed to own the problems affecting our people especially banditry which has caused death and destruction. Moving forward we have committed ourselves to work for peace and the unity of our people," Natembeya said.
The governors said NOREB which brings together eight counties faced operational challenges due to lack of a legal framework but now a NOREB Bill has been presented to county assemblies to ratify and strengthen the Bloc.
The two-day NOREB peace summit hosted at the Kitale Club also brought together public and private sector stakeholders in the North Rift region to discuss and deliberate on a roadmap for sustainable peace and development in the region.
"I believe that we have a responsibility of ending this insecurity menace if we unite as NOREB, especially with the support from the national government," Natembeya said.
Natembeya advocated for a full-time commitment urging the bloc to confront the issue as a unit to resolve the insecurity challenge once and for all
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said there was a need to open up conflict-affected areas to allow for development by helping residents to abandon old age practices(banditry) and embrace modernity.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor John Barorot said NOREB has what it takes to address the banditry and urged the county assemblies to ratify the NOREB Bill so that the counties have the legal capacity to act together.
“We urgently need a coordinated approach on peace and unity issues in the North Rift so that we can focus on development and not resolving conflicts forever," Barorot said.
Deputy governors from Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Samburu, Nandi, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet were among the leaders who attended the summit.
Natembeya has earlier accused some political leaders in the region of using their positions and public resources to instigate violence for selfish political gains.
The Trans Nzoia governor who previously served as the Rift Valley regional commissioner urged residents to reject leaders who incite violence and pretend to be working for peace and unity.
“Time has come for us to call out such leaders and shame them because our people are suffering over violence that can be stopped if we all mean well," Natembeya said.