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Since
May, a low-level conflict in the Kerio Valley between Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet
and West Pokot counties has left more than 30 people dead and many others
displaced from their homes and farms.
Competition
over access and control of dwindling grazing resources along River Kerio,
ethnic bigotry and political differences have been blamed for the conflict in
the valley that has been relatively peaceful until now.
As
much as the national government has been blamed for being a bystander, those in
the know say political rivalry between the resurgent Kanu and the newly-formed
Jubilee Party is partly to blame for the escalating Pokot-Marakwet conflict.
Apparently,
each side is blaming and sabotaging the other in a bid to gain political
currency ahead of the 2017 elections.
Allegedly,
the Kanu side of John Lonyang'apuo (West Pokot senator), David Kimaiyo (Elgeyo
Marakwet senator hopeful) and William Kamket (Speaker of Baringo County
Assembly) is using the conflict to convince Kerio Valley residents that the
Jubilee administration that they voted for almost to a man in the 2013
elections is doing nothing to end the conflict.
This
was well put by a Marakwet MCA, who said at one of the peace meetings that it
is better to suffer in the Opposition than to suffer in Government.
The
residents have nothing to show in terms of infrastructural development for
being in Government and the latest conflict has