KNCHR vice chairperson Raymond Nyeris (centre in black cap) joins a gig with traditional dancers during the Human Rights Initiative event at Kakuma in Turkana West, Turkana County, on December 24, 2024/GEORGE OWITIThe Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has urged Turkana county residents to embrace peace to enjoy various fundamental human rights like Kenyans in other regions of the country.
KNCHR vice chairperson Raymond Nyeris said residents from the county often miss out on enjoying some of their rights due to insecurity in the region.
“Tukiishi kwa Amani, tutapatia serikali nafasi ya kutuletea maendeleo. Mahali kuna Amani, kuna kudumisha haki za binadamu. Mahali kuna vita, hakuna haki za binadamu. Tuishi kwa Amani ili tufurahie haki zetu za kibinadamu,” Nyeris said.
Nyeris spoke during the Human Rights and Peace Initiative held to usher in the festive season at Kakuma in Turkana West, Turkana County, on Tuesday.
He said the region experiences a unique environment where different local communities like Turkana and neighboring Pokot communities live together with the refugee community.
“There are over 300,000 refugees across Kakuma and 800,000 across the country. Our collective efforts are needed to uphold their human rights, including some of the host communities,” UNHCR senior protection officer Janet Pima said.
Nyeris urged host communities to peacefully coexist with the refugees, as she maintained that the latter should equally observe the rule of law.
He told the locals to grant their children their right to education by taking them to school for a good future.
"Tupelekeni watoto wetu shule watu wa Kakuma, Turkana West na East na kila mahali. Ni vizuri tuelimishe watoto ili wawe na future nzuri. Tuko na serikali ya gatuzi, lakini watoto wasiposoma, tutakosa watu wa kuajiri. Tupeleke watoto shule na tuishi kwa Amani,” Nyeris said.
Nyeris said education had been identified as the most effective tool in ensuring the region remains peaceful in future by empowering next generations.
The Turkana county government, on its part, promised to work with all stakeholders to ensure equitable distribution of resources and avert conflicts that arise amongst local host communities and refugees.
“As a government, we are the duty bearers. We have a responsibility in ensuring residents enjoy their rights,” Turkana West subcounty administrator Christine Nalemsekon said.
“Hata hivyo, wewe kama mwananchi una jukumu la kusaidia serikali ili iweze kukuwezesha kuenjoy hizo haki zako,” Nalemsekon said.
She said issues of scarce resources were equally a cause of such conflicts.
“Resources will never be enough for everybody,” Nalemsekon said.
Nalemsekon said the upgrading of Kakuma’s status to a municipality had increased investment opportunities in the area.
“This has helped in improving the economic status of the refugees and host communities,” she said.