Pokot are not warmongers as media portrays

On August 4, 2010, the Pokot, as well as other Kenyans voted in favour of a new law. Then, the community was hopeful for a life of justice and liberty. This hope has, however, remained elusive.

By voting for the new Constitution, we gathered to ratify the pledge we made to ourselves as a people and leaders, that Kenya shall redeem herself and extend the frontiers of democracy and freedom, and that all citizens should be treated equally.

For about five decades, hope, justice, democracy and goodwill, from the government of the day, has eluded the community. The Pokot have suffered stereotypes that brand them as cattle rustlers, warlords, aggressors and tribalists.

Kenyans and the world should know that these are fallacious portrayals.

Pokot are the most peaceful, honest and friendly people in Kenya. Subject to data and statistics, almost all tribes in Kenya live in West Pokot County and transact their daily businesses peacefully.

A Turkana leader who went to the press to say that Pokot are hostile and should be evicted to Uganda was very uncouth, and only meant to unravel the unity between the two communities.

Turkana, as a tribe, live in several places in West Pokot: Aramaket, Kambi Punda, Lokirimo, Kambi Chafu, Chepurumpen and Mathare, among other places.

A number of them are herders in Pokot homesteads and they are good people. They have married from Pokot community from time memorial.

It is unfortunate that even in this era, a government of the people, for the people and by the people can still use heavy artillery, bombs and machine guns to forcibly reduce a population of her citizens.

The use of KDF to carry out a disarmament operation in Kapedo is barbaric, backward and ill-informed.

The media as well, have been vilifying the tribe oblivious of the backlash the community would get from those negative reporting.

What is the difference between post-election atrocities and the force used in Kapedo today?

Samuel Lopuo, Kapenguria