Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities chair Adan
Yusuf Haji
The National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities has rolled out a series of peacekeeping meetings in conflict-prone areas.
The committee chaired by Adan Yusuf Haji (Mandera West) on Tuesday held discussions on the planned peace-keeping meetings to be conducted in four counties with persistent tribal clashes.
Members of the committee are set to visit Malindi, Kilifi,
Lamu and Baringo counties to foster peace in the four devolved units.
"The committee appreciates efforts put in place by the government to end the clashes and restore peace in the troubled counties," said Haji.
He added: "But as a committee, we want to supplement measures put in place by the government to quell the clashes through peace keeping meetings."
He noted that the peacemaking programme they plan to undertake is in accordance with the mandate of the committee in ensuring intercommunity cohesion and peaceful co-existence.
Haji noted that the committee will undertake the programme in conjunction with the county security teams.
"We will also hold meetings with the warring groups, local leaders, religious leaders and other stakeholders that are critical in efforts to secure peace in the regions," he added.
Lamu County MP Monicah Muthoni Marubu said the decision to conduct peacekeeping meetings in her backyard was welcome, though long overdue.
Marubu noted that conflicts in the county have affected livelihoods with women and children bearing the brunt of the insecurity.
"The Committee should meet all stakeholders among them the Wanati wa Lamu who are critical to enabling them achieve the goal of making the region conflict free," said the MP.
Nakuru County MP Liza Chelule called on grassroot leaders to support the committee's peace initiative.
She said the initiative is aimed at ending the long-standing conflicts.
During the meeting, the committee also approved a work plan that will guide the House team as it discharges its mandate.
According to the work plan, the committee will meet the leadership of various government agencies to inquire on employment diversity and access to opportunities.
Interior and National Administration PS Raymond Omollo, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Chief Executive Officer of the National Police Service Commission Peter Leley are among senior government officers expected to hold deliberations with the committee.