Baringo, Kenya: Senator Gideon Moi has called for unity among leaders and communities in the North Rift as a solution to the rampant insecurity experienced in the region.
He also asked pastoralist communities to take their children to school so they can reap some of the "fruits brought about by devolution".
The senator also said the insecurity menace can be eradicated through the church and by increasing the number of schools constructed in the region.
COMBINED EFFORTS
"The church plays an integral part in peace building. A person who has no education and does not believe in God is dangerous to live with. We should not condemn our neighbours without listening to their challenges," he said.
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Gideon said that if all children in Pokot and other neighbouring communities were to be taken to school, the issues of banditry would become a thing of the past.
"We should all strive to bring development to the grassroots level. I know the alarming levels of illiteracy in East Pokot contribute to banditry. It is high the Government opened up this area through education and infrastructure," he said.
Gideon spoke yesterday in Chemolingot, Tiaty, where he held a series of meetings with security officers, education officials and church leaders as he sought solutions to the insecurity menace.
While addressing church leaders at the Tiaty Deputy County Commissioner's boardroom, Gideon said he is confident that the ghosts of insecurity shall be overcome with the joint effort of elders, church leaders, education experts and the Government through its security agents.
"With improved education levels, I am certain Baringo will become a haven of peace," he said.
He asked the Government to promptly act on intelligence reports collected by security officers working in the area.
Gideon regretted that banditry has led to the closure of more than 20 schools in Baringo North and South constituencies.
OPEN SCHOOLS
He urged the government to fast-tract addressing the problem and ensure the schools are re-opened so that children continue with learning.
The senator also called on the Government to recruit more police reservists to help tackle the region's insecurity problem.
"The KPR unit is made up of locals who know the terrain well. They tend to be very passionate and do not necessarily only act during raids but also come up with peace-building initiatives across neighbouring communities," he said.
He said security officers in the region should be well equipped to tackle insecurity.
